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Playoffs in store for Bucks
Redd will propel team after healing
By Curtis Claassen
By the end of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks will be a playoff team. Since the Bucks are currently sitting at 18-26, you“re probably asking how this will happen.
The simple answer is the return of Michael Redd.
Through 44 games, Redd has missed 11, and the Bucks have gone 2-9 in that stretch. Prior to Redd“s injury the Bucks were streaking, winning eight of 11 games.
Redd is still sixth in the league scoring, averaging 27.7 points per game and before his injury, many considered him an early MVP candidate. Redd also is shooting a solid 46 percent from the field, 84 percent from the free throw line, and playing some defense this season, averaging 1.3 steals per game.
There is no doubt that Michael Redd should still be an All-Star. He is having the best year of his career and it“s evident he“s the most important part of the Bucks“ success.
With Charlie Villanueva and Mo Williams finally healthy, along with the acquisition of little man Earl Boykins, Milwaukee has put together one of the best scoring teams in the NBA.
Now I know the old saying goes that “defense wins championships.” But let“s get this straight: The Bucks are nowhere near winning a championship this season, but do not be surprised if they pulled off a first-round upset in the pitiful Eastern Conference.
The Washington Wizards, a team that plays absolutely no defense, currently has the best record in the Eastern Conference at 26-17. The Bucks are still only eight games out of first place, as the Detroit Pistons lead the Central with a 25-17 record. Milwaukee also trails New Jersey by just three games for the final playoff spot. These are strong indicators of how weak and wide open the Eastern Conference is this season.
Here is another reason why the Bucks will be a playoff team. Starting Feb. 5, the Bucks play an alarming 23 of their final 36 games at the Bradley Center, a venue where the Bucks are currently 10-8, opposed to 8-18 on the road. Eleven of their last 12 games are also against Eastern Conference opponents, so the Bucks definitely will be controlling their own destiny.
The way the Bucks will have to win these games to make the playoffs is living or dying by their offense. The Bucks are currently seventh in the league in scoring, averaging a little over 100 points per game.
They are also seventh in the league in field goal percentage, largely thanks to Andrew Bogut and Ruben Patterson, who shot a very impressive 56 and 54 percent from the field, respectively. The Bucks are also 15-8 this season when scoring at least 100 points.
We all know the Bucks are not a good defensive team, so they will have to take a page out of the Phoenix Suns playbook and simply will have to outscore teams to win. This task will be a lot easier when Milwaukee“s superstar, Michael Redd, returns in the next couple weeks.
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