Milwaukee Bucks Betting Articles: Early 2006 Season Analysis

Terry Stotts, like any coach who has coached the Grizzlies, Hawks and Clippers, begins his real coaching career this year and is doing a great job. Magloire and Simmons joined at the start, as well as the return of rookie Andrew Bogut and TJ Ford. The new additions have given Milwaukee new life in the playoffs.

The 11-7 Bucks have a good rotation of big men. Andrew Bogut has performed well enough to earn the spot over Joe Smith. Magloire has given them strong rebounding intensity. That’s why the Bucks lead the NBA in rebounding. Bobby Simmons is very nonchalant; He doesn’t get a lot of snaps for him, but he takes an outside shot or dunks when he has to.

Milwaukee leads the NBA in 3P%. Michael Redd is doing a very good job leading the team. TJ Ford isn’t necessarily a true PG, but he is an exceptional shooter. He adds that with his great speed and you have a very productive point guard. Playing time has obviously decreased for Maurice Williams, but that hasn’t stopped him. Williams has already hit two winners this year.

The problem with a young team like this is defense. Giving up 99.7 PPG, they’re 26th in the NBA in Points Allowed. Other than the Cavaliers (they played yesterday) they are the worst defending 3-pointers. At times he is a scorer by committee for Milwaukee. Redd, Williams, Ford and Simmons alternate as team leaders, so consistency is an issue. And while Magloire and Bogut help on the glass, they don’t add many points on the scoreboard.

The division they’re in with Cleveland, Indiana and Detroit will be hard to topple. Considering that the seed they’d be if the postseason started today would be low, they don’t have a great shot at success this year. But, nonetheless, they are going in the right direction.