Milwaukee Bucks 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Milwaukee Bucks 2008-2009 NBA Record: 34-48, 5th in Central Division

Milwaukee Bucks 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 41-39-2

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• Played 6 straight OVERs at Chicago

• 1-11 SU past 12 trips to Cleveland

• 31-5 SU past 18 vs Pistons

• 2-8-1 ATS past 11 games on no rest

• 11-4-1 ATS past 16 Nov games

• OVER is 8-2 past 10 as small dog of 2 or less

• 2-9 ATS past 11 vs 76ers

Milwaukee Bucks 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

Bucks owner Herb Kohl has given Bucks general manager John Hammond complete authority on personnel matters. But the Bucks have never paid a luxury tax and they won’t this season, either. The Bucks cleared some major salary-cap space by trading star small forward Richard Jefferson and the remaining $29 million on his contract to the San Antonio Spurs. That has allowed Hammond to make some bold and controversial moves while radically reshaping the Bucks’ roster.

Milwaukee Bucks Coach: Scott Skiles (2nd season)

Milwaukee Bucks Returning Players: Forwards Joe Alexander, Ersan Ilyasova, Luc Mbah a Moute; guards Charlie Bell, Michael Redd, Luke Ridnour; centers Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, Francisco Elson.

Milwaukee Bucks Key Additions: Forward Carlos Delfino (trade from Raptors), guard Brandon Jennings (draft), guard Jodie Meeks (draft), forward Walter Sharpe (trade from Nuggets), forward Kurt Thomas (trade from Spurs), guard Roko Ukic (trade from Raptors), forward Hakim Warrick (free agent).

Milwaukee Bucks Key Subtractions: Forward Amir Johnson (traded to Raptors), swingman Sonny Weems (traded to Raptors), forward Richard Jefferson (traded to Spurs), forward Fabricio Oberto (traded to Pistons), forward Keith Bogans (signed with Spurs), forward Bruce Bowen (retired), guard Damon Jones (free agent), guard Ramon Sessions (signed with Timberwolves), guard Salim Stoudamire (free agent), forward Charlie Villanueva (signed with Pistons).

2009-2010 Milwaukee Bucks Point Guards:

T.J. Ford was supposed to be the answer. Then, it was supposed to be Mo Williams. Last year, it was Ramon Sessions and Luke Ridnour who were the Bucks starting point guards. This season?

On the surface, Ridnour has the inside track. He has a wealth of experience and has shown he can run an offense.

But Ridnour is expected to get stiff competition for the starting spot from heralded rookie Brandon Jennings.

Jennings, who skipped college to play professionally in Italy last season, has amazing court vision and blinding speed. Bucks coach Scott Skiles believes Jennings’ quick hands and feet will enable him to be a top-notch defender as well.

2009-2010 Milwaukee Bucks Off Guards:

Michael Redd insists he’s on a mission this season. After the veteran shooting guard was forced to miss more than half of last season – he played in only 33 games after suffering a serious knee injury – Redd said he’s determined to have his best season ever.

Redd, who averaged 21.2 points a game last season, will probably play around 38 minutes a game again this season.

That means the remaining minutes will probably be divvied up among veteran Charlie Bell and rookie Jodie Meeks, the team’s second-round draft choice from Kentucky.

Meeks made a quick and favorable impression on the Bucks coaching staff by acquitting himself quite nicely in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Meeks not only consistently knocked down the open shot but showed a penchant for getting after it on defense.

2009-2010 Milwaukee Bucks Small Forwards:

This position was arguably the Bucks’.
It isn’t anymore. After the Bucks dealt standout Richard Jefferson to San Antonio, they now have two unproven commodities battling for the starter’s job: Luc Mbah a Moute and Joe Alexander.

Mbah a Moute was one of the biggest heists of the 2008 NBA draft. Chosen in the second round, he quickly established himself as the Bucks’ best defender, capable of guarding both guards and forwards.

While Mbah a Moute was a major surprise, Alexander was a major disappointment. Skiles had little faith in Alexander, who was a lottery pick, and used him sparingly.

2009-2010 Milwaukee Bucks Power Forwards:

Two years ago, the Bucks expended a lottery pick on power forward Yi Jianlian of China. But the Bucks traded Yi last summer to New Jersey, and then turned to Charlie Villanueva.

While Villanueva had a successful season, the Bucks brass didn’t even attempt to retain him during free agency. He wound up signing with the Detroit Pistons.

Now? Take your pick. It could be Ersan Ilyasova. Or Hakim Warrick. Or Arnir Johnson. Or Kurt Thomas. Or …

Ilyasova, the Bucks’ second-round pick in 2005 who played in Spain last season, may be the front runner.

Ilyasova possesses a nice all-around game and plays with non-stop intensity, something that should endear him to Bucks coach Scott Skiles.

Warrick joined the Bucks through free agency after being let go by Memphis. He is a tremendous athlete who excels in the open court.

Johnson, whom the Bucks acquired in a trade with Detroit, is also quite athletic.

But Johnson, who has the distinction of being the last high school player drafted, is rough around the edges and far from a finished product.

That isn’t the case with Thomas, acquired in a trade with San Antonio. Thomas is a proven pro and, while his physical skills diminished, he remains a smart and productive player.

2009-2010 Milwaukee Bucks Centers:

Andrew Bogut could be at a crossroads in his career. The multi-skilled center has shown continual growth in his four pro seasons but needs to take another step forward to become one of the elite big men in the game.

Bogue was hampered by a lower back injury last season and played in a mere 36 games, averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

But after being the No.1 overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft and with his $60 million guaranteed contract extension kicking in this season, the Bucks are undoubtedly counting on more production from the 7 foot Aussie.

Bogue’s backups will again be Dan Gadzuric and Francisco Elson. Both are quality defenders but offensively-challenged.

Milwaukee Bucks 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Milwaukee Bucks will finish 5th in the NBA Central Division .

Milwaukee Bucks Betting

Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship Odds: +3500

Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference Odds: +15000

Milwaukee Bucks 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Milwaukee Bucks Straight Up: 34-48

Milwaukee Bucks ATS: 41-39-2

Milwaukee Bucks Home ATS: 21-20

Milwaukee Bucks Away ATS: 20-19-2

Milwaukee Bucks Record As Favorite: 18-10

Milwaukee Bucks Record As Dog: 16-38

Milwaukee Bucks Over/Under: 44-37-1

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