The Milwaukee Bucks will start the 2011-12 season on December 26th, and right now seem to be one of the only teams in the NBA with a full roster. They have a few injuries that they are dealing with right now, but they are all day to day things. The Bucks will have two preseason games before they start the 66 game schedule. It is early to tell who the starting five will be, but lets take a shot at it.
If I had to guess this would be my starting five.
PG: Brandon Jennnings
SG: Stephen Jackson
SF: Carlos Delfino
PF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C: Andrew Bogut
It looks a little small, but that seems to be the new thing in the NBA. I guess you can switch Jackson and Delfino, but really they play either position. I just think with spending the money that they did on Mbah Moute he has to start. Drew Gooden is getting older and I think his minutes should be cut. Also he is the only option to really back up Bogut at center if he gets in foul trouble. The rest of the bench should pan out this way, as long as my starting five are right.
PG: Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston
SG: Tobias Harris, Darington Hobson
SF: Mike Dunleavy, Ersan Ilyasova
PF: Larry Sanders, Jon Brockman, Jon Leuer
C: Drew Gooden
I'm not really sure how Harris and Hobson will fit in, because they haven't played NBA ball yet. Everywhere else it seems like we have the depth again, but I hope the injury bug leaves this team alone this year. I just want to see what this team can do if they don't have guys hurt every other game. It would be nice to see the same starting five go out on the court every game, instead of waiting till game time to hear the new starting five.
Jennings needs to become more of a point guard on this team. I think with Jackson and Bogut they should be able to do most of the scoring. Also having a guy like Dunleavy come off the bench for like 12 points a game will be new for this team. Mbah a Moute is the defender that can guard almost anyone on the court, so he is the super star stopper. Delfino is the three point specialist for the starting five, and Dunleavy can shoot the tray ball off the bench.
Brockman is a great rebounder and hustle guy off the bench. Larry Sanders is also a defensive guy off the bench, but he needs to work on staying out of foul trouble. It will be interesting to see how he does in his second year. As far as Leuer, Ilyasova, and both back up point guards I really don't know how they will fit in. I hope Ersan gets some minutes, but he just seems to struggle on the defensive side of things.
The Bulls should have no problem winning the central division, but the Bucks should be able to pass the Pacers for second place this year. I think Bucks should make the playoffs this year after just barley missing last season. My guess is going to be the 6th seed this season. You have to put the Heat, Celtics, Bulls, Magic (If Howard stays), Knicks all in the playoffs, but after these five it is wide open. I think the Bucks could be the next best team of the wide open Eastern Conference. If the injury bug bites then they may be able to get the golf clubs out early again.
I guess I didn't realize it till now, but I kind of miss the Bucks being on TV. Right now the Packers are taking up my Sunday's, but the Bucks never play on Sunday's that much anyway. Don't get me wrong the Packers are still my number one team, but it will be nice to see the Bucks play a few nights a week. It will be even better if the Bucks are good. I guess we will have to wait till December 26th to see what kind of team we have.
2 comments:
What? Tobias Harris is not a guard, he's a 3 or 4. Also I would call Ersan a 4, not a 3.
I really don't think the Bucks can compete with the Pacers for second in the central this year. The David West signing aside, their backcourt is full of potential with Collison and Paul George. Plus in the east, you're forgetting about the Hawks, an established playoff team. Bucks will be competing for the 8th seed with the likes of Philly and New Jersey. And if the Nets get Dwight, then we'll be battling with Orlando.
NBA teams can't have a ten guy bench, only 7. Guys like Leuer and Hobson are likely ticketed for the D-League.
You know, you don't have to write Bucks coverage: I get it this is a Wisconsin sports blog but it seems like NBA stories are under-researched and done just to save face. The Bucks have always just been an afterthought to our other teams, who you guys generally cover better.
not a lot of blogs seem to cover the bucks anymore. at least this guys seem to care but i still think they will suck. need a new owner new stadium doesnt matter who the players are
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