2007 NBA Season Preview - Milwaukee Bucks

A Look at the Upcoming 07-08 Season

Milwaukee Bucks
'06-'07 Record/Standing: 28-54 (.341); Last in Central Division
'06-'07 Postseason (if applicable): n/a
Coach (Record): Larry Krystkowiak, 2^nd season (5-13 after hired in March 2007)
Key Additions: F Yi Jianlian (draft; 1^st round, 6th

overall); SF Desmond Mason (FA; New Orleans)
Key Losses: F Ruben Patterson (FA; Los Angeles Clippers)

The 2006-2007 season was one of regression for the Milwaukee Bucks. Just the season before, this team was a playoff team that surprised a lot of people and looked to be on the right track. Of course, the team's dreadful performance this past season made them look like the same Bucks that had been previously inept. They have made some necessary changes, including making Larry Krystkowiak the full-time head coach and drafting Chinese forward Yi Jianlian. The Bucks are trying to back on track, but there will be some tough sledding ahead. First, they play in the Central division, which means twelve games against NBA Title contenders Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit. Even though the Eastern Conference is considered the lesser of the two conferences, the Bucks have the unenviable task of playing in what could be the most competitive division in the NBA. They need their players to have more accountability and grow up quickly, or they could get lost in the shuffle.

So, where will the Bucks stand? Can they get through the muck of the Eastern Conference and rise above to surprise some teams? The Central Division is already one of the tougher divisions, but can the Bucks make it even more difficult and challenging by getting a few wins and competing amidst the big boys? Or was their success in 2005-2006 a mirage, just a big tease to the fans and the franchise?

Projected Starting Lineup ('06-'07 Stats)
PG: Mo Williams (68 games, 17.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.1 apg)
SG: Michael Redd (53 games, 26.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg)
SF: Desmond Mason (75 games, 13.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 apg)
PF: Charlie Villanueva (39 games, 11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.9 apg)
C: Andrew Bogut (66 games, 12.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.0 apg)