One Fan's Grades For The Bucks This Year

Now that the season is over, here's one fan's grades for the Bucks this
season:
GUARDS
Michael Redd (A-): A legitimate All-Star who for the third consecutive
season raised the level of his game substantially. Each season, Redd has been
given more to do and each season he has responded by performing at a higher
level. He slumped a bit in the second half of the season, due in large part to
the absence of T.J. Ford, but his future remains a bright one. Given his
unquestioned work ethic, there is every reason to believe he will learn from
the mistakes of this season and improve his game even more next season. He is
one of the key parts of the Bucks' foundation.
T.J. Ford (B-): The best rookie point guard in this year's draft, Ford was
on his way to a standout rookie season when a back injury shelved him for the
stretch run. The early prognosis is surgery will correct the problem and he'll
be back for the start of next season. That is vital because this team has a
chance to be special with Ford, who has superb passing skills, can create
offense against any defense and is a master in transition. The Bucks were one
of the four best teams in the East with Ford. Without him, they were a playoff
bottom feeder. Nothing more needs to be said about his importance to this team.
His glaring weakness is his perimeter shooting. He must improve in that area
and if he does there may not be any stopping him.
Damon Jones (C+): Cast aside by seemingly every other team in the league,
Jones found a home with the Bucks this season. He was much better running with
the second team and although he had some good games after Ford's injury, far
too often the weaknesses in his game (poor defense, suspect outside shooting)
were exposed as he played more minutes. An unrestricted free agent, the Bucks
should not consider re-signing him to be a huge priority.
Brevin Knight (D-): Picked up after Ford's injury and had a few good games
but was a big disappointment much of the time. Has great quickness, but doesn't
use it well either in transition or in the half-court game. He is a pesky
defender, but he can't shoot and is often a liability on offense. An
unrestricted free agent who the Bucks should let walk.
Erick Strickland (C): Rarely played for some strange reason, but was always
prepared and played hard when he got a chance. A true professional. Isn't a
true PG, but probably better suited to play that position in reserve than the
SG spot. A good guy for the Bucks to keep around.
FORWARDS
Desmond Mason (B+): A rising star whose all-around game is developing
nicely. Needs to become more consistent from the perimeter and the FT line, but
when he does (and it's a matter of "when," not "if") he's going to be a star. A
terrific defender and arguably the best game dunker in the NBA. Mason is
another key part of the Bucks' foundation and should be a starter at SF when
next season begins.
Keith Van Horn (B-: An upgrade over Tim Thomas in terms of talent, Van Horn
had some huge games with the Bucks and was really rolling before a series of
injuries pretty much rendered him useless for the final dozen games and the
playoff series vs. Detroit. He couldn't guard my mother in the low post, but
when he's healthy he is a consistent offensive player with good range. But he's
making far too much money for the production he generates and GM Larry Harris'
No. 1 priority this off-season should be trading Van Horn.
Joe Smith (B+): Came over as part of the Sam Cassell trade and provided a
MAJOR upgrade at PF. Plays with tremendous heart and doesn't back down from
anyone on both ends of the court. Is the team's best rebounder and a solid
source of offense as well. Some people already seem convinced he won't be as
good next season as he was this season. To that I have just one word --
bulls**t.
Toni Kukoc (C-): Kukoc wasn't anywhere near as effective this season as he
was last year. Arguably the most intelligent player on the Bucks' roster, he
brings experience, savvy and offensive skills to the game, but simply cannot
play at a consistent level anymore. It appears age has caught up with him. An
unrestricted free agent, it's probably in the Bucks' best interests to use what
little free-agent money they have elsewhere this summer rather than re-signing
Kukoc.
Marcus Haislip (D-): Athletic, but has the look of a player who lacks
motivation. Maybe if Van Horn is traded Haislip could get a chance as a backup
to Mason at SF. Otherwise he'll probably spend next season riding the pine once
again.
CENTERS
Brian Skinner (B-): Should be playing PF, but played C out of necessity for
the Bucks and played hard the entire season. Wasn't as effective in the Detroit
series, but his work throughout the year provided a major upgrade at the
position. Has a solid lowpost game that could get even better with more work.
He can opt out of his contract for next season and the Bucks will be in serious
trouble if they can't keep him.
Dan Gadzuric (C-): Good luck finding anyone who plays with more energy than
Gadzuric, but for the second consecutive season he appeared to run out of gas
down the stretch, an indication his stamina needs work. He isn't much of an
offensive threat, but his shotblocking and rebounding skills are solid and
should've been used more in the Detroit series. If he can keep making strides
he'll deserve even more playing time next year.
Daniel Santiago (D): Had some decent moments during the season, but is
clearly a project. Needs to work on his upper-body strength so he won't get
pushed around so easily defensively. Has some offensive ability which makes him
a prime guy for the coaching staff to work with further to see if he can
develop into a legitimate backup.
COACHING/OVERALL (C+): The 41-41 record and first-round playoff exit merits
a C grade. But given how hard this team played for most of the season and how
impressively they embraced the team concept (a welcome departure from the
previous two seasons), another notch has been added to the overall grade.
Porter did a solid job as a rookie head coach, getting the team to buy into a
team-first philosophy that served them well throughout the season. He was
overmatched against Larry Brown in the playoffs, however, and needs to refine
his rotational system. There's also no excuse for him not getting his team
prepared to play in any one of the final three regular-season losses which
served to undercut a fine season. But if Porter is half the head coach he was a
player then he will learn from this season and be an even better head coach
next year. And with a tremendous young rotation of Redd, Mason and a healthy
Ford, the future is bright. Now it's up to GM Larry Harris to ensure that the
steps forward that were taken this season lead to the Bucks becoming an even
greater threat in the Eastern Conference next year.

> Europa2846 wrote:
>
> Keith Van Horn (B-: An upgrade over Tim Thomas in terms of talent,
> Van Horn had some huge games with the Bucks and was really rolling
> before a series of injuries pretty much rendered him useless for
> the final dozen games and the playoff series vs. Detroit. He
> couldn't guard my mother in the low post, but when he's healthy he
> is a consistent offensive player with good range. But he's making
> far too much money for the production he generates and GM Larry
> Harris' No. 1 priority this off-season should be trading Van Horn.

You score him a B- than say the #1 priority is to trade him... Odd.

As odd as you previous KVH comment that even "if Van Horn was
averaging a triple-double in this series" you'd still want him traded.

Couple of obvious points: If KVH really was a B- player he wouldn't
be the journeyman player he has become. And if he was capable of
averaging triple-doubles in a playoff series, he'd NEVER would have
been traded to the Bucks.