Intro
The Bucks are a rising young team with an excellent backcourt, and underrated frontcourt. This year they were within 1 game of the NBA Finals, won the Central Division by five games, and could have even given the Lakers a run for their money for the title. (The Bucks won both games against them in the regular season.)
Guards
Sam Cassell, Ray Allen, Lindsey Hunter, Rafer Alston
The Bucks starting Guards are one of the best pairs in the league. Ray Allen was picked to be on the all-star team and Sam Cassell probably should have been. Lindsey Hunter had a good regular season, 10 pts 3 ast, but struggled in the postseason. Alston averaged 2 pts in 37 games last year.
The Bucks could use some depth at guard, but they are more likely to pick a big man.
Forwards
Glenn Robinson, Mark Pope, Tim Thomas, Jason Caffey, Darvin Ham
The biggest need on the Bucks team is a power forward. They could start Tim Thomas but George Karl likes him coming off the bench better. Last year they switched off between Pope, Caffey and Ham, with Pope starting 45 games, Caffey 33, and Ham 13. However, the small forward position is set. Robinson led the team in scoring, and is an all-star.
If the Bucks want to win the Eastern Conference next year, they need to improve their power forward situation by signing one, trading up, or by Tim Thomas becoming a star.
Centers
Scott Williams, Ervin Johnson, Joel Przybilla
The Bucks centers are about on par with the average East center. Williams gives them the most scoring, Johnson is a shot blocker and a good rebounder, and Przybilla is also a good shot blocker.
The Bucks will probably not pick a center, since Przybilla was their pick last year.
Draft Outlook
Since the Bucks have such a low pick, they will pick the best player available. But, they would prefer to see a big man drop to their pick.
Scalabrine would make a solid second round pick for many
reasons. He has good range, can drive
to the basket, is a fine rebounder, and runs the floor well. He also makes good
decisions and does not get into any trouble with his teammates. He projects to
be a solid role player and a player any team could use.
Other players I considered with this pick were Kirk Haston,
Samuel Dalembert, and Terence Morris. Unfortunately, Haston and Dalembert were
picked right in front of me, and Morris has not progressed since his sophomore
season. His shooting has gotten worse every season. If he makes it in the NBA,
he will not have the strength of most forwards and will have to rely on his
shooting. Also he is not aggressive enough for most teams tastes, and appears
to have low confidence in his game. For those reasons I chose Scalabrine over
Morris.
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