Milwaukee Bucks 2008 Season Preview

Dominant C Andrew Bogut and Richard Jefferson headline a rebounding Bucks squad to new NBA heights

Milwaukee Bucks: 2007-08 Overview

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2007-08 season with some controversy. New head coach Larry Krystkowiak had been a great assistant head coach, but it was debated whether he could take the top job. The Milwaukee Bucks first-round pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Yi Jianlian, refused to play for the team and held out for a good while. The Yi Jianlian holdout gave the club bad press and riled many fans with Milwaukee Bucks tickets.

Center Andrew Bogut led the Milwaukee Bucks and was their best player in almost every aspect of the game. The Milwaukee Bucks were generally unorganized in the 2007-08 season and the offense had trouble getting started. Being in the Central Division did not help the Milwaukee Bucks either as they had to tangle with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons. The Milwaukee Bucks fell to a dismal 26-56 record, and it became obvious that a change was needed both on court and in the front office.

Milwaukee Bucks: Offseason

The first order of business for the Milwaukee Bucks was to get a new GM and head coach. John Hammond and Scott Skiles filled these positions respectively. Scott Skiles went about cleaning house in the Milwaukee Bucks and made some needed changes to the roster. An unhappy Yi Jianlian was traded to the New Jersey Nets for veteran star Richard Jefferson. West Virginia SF Joe Alexander was the first-round pick for the Milwaukee Bucks and tough UCLA Bruins F Luc Mbah a Moute was also added in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Milwaukee Bucks: Offense

The Milwaukee Bucks (22.6 PPG) brought in SF Richard Jefferson to be the leader of the offense. G Michael Redd (22.7 PPG) led the Milwaukee Bucks in points in 2007 and should look for even more thanks to Richard Jefferson being in the lineup. G Ramon Sessions (8.1 PPG) led the Milwaukee Bucks in three-point shots and is a devastating perimeter shooter. A healthy Ramon Sessions will be a big boost to the Milwaukee Bucks offense.

Center Andrew Bogut (14.3 PPG) is one of the best big men in the NBA and is a major piece for the Milwaukee Bucks to build around for a decade to come. Andrew Bogut is also a force in offensive rebounds and can keep possessions alive in the paint. PF Charlie Villanueva (11.7 PPG) has a chance to become an elite NBA player if he can learn the new offensive system and maximize his natural ability.

Milwaukee Bucks: Defense

Andrew Bogut is a force in the paint on defense as well. Not only does Andrew Bogut swat shots down like flies, but he also shows agility in stealing the ball when it counts as well. Ramon Sessions is another expert at the steal and can bring scoring runs to an end with a quick move. Richard Jefferson also excels at defense and will fill in the gaps between Andrew Bogut and Ramon Sessions in the defensive scheme.

Milwaukee Bucks: Lineup

Point Guard: Luke Ridnour, Tyronn Lue
Shooting Guard: Michael Redd, Charlie Bell
Small Forward: Richard Jefferson, Adrian Griffin
Power Forward: Charlie Villanueva, Joe Alexander
Center: Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric

Milwaukee Bucks: Outlook

Fans with Milwaukee Bucks tickets can be assured that brighter times are ahead for their favorite team. The combination of John Hammond and Scott Skiles will bring about a dramatic change in the Milwaukee Bucks in a short time. Changes at the top have the most impact on a basketball team and the disappointing Milwaukee Bucks teams of the past few years are a thing of the past thanks to this new administration.

The arrival of a strong veteran in Richard Jefferson is another big piece of the puzzle for the Milwaukee Bucks. Andrew Bogut is a young player and is already dominating the paint in the NBA. Milwaukee Bucks tickets will give longtime fans a chance to see a team being built from the ground up. The rebuilding phase does not mean that the Milwaukee Bucks can’t take down Central Division opponents like the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, and the Milwaukee Bucks are sure to pull off a slew of upsets in the 2008-09 NBA season.