Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles insinuated that newly acquired guard/forward Carlos Delfino could likely be the startin 3 on this year’s team. “If we want to start the game with more of an offensive three, we can,” Skiles stated. “We’ll have a nice point guard battle. These are the kind of options you want.” Delfino’s soft outside touch is a nice complement to the more inside oriented forwards on the team. Delfino starting at the 3 would push newly signed free agent Hakim Warrick to the 4, where his post game and long defensive arms are more suited. L.R. Mbah a Moute will battle Warrick for the most minutes at the power forward, and who can provide more of an offensive punch will likely be the designated started.

Andrew Bogut has finally healed from the stress fracture in his lower back. “I’m doing some light shooting, no moving or real jumping, just some technique stuff,” Bogut said. The Bucks have to be sitting on the edge of their seat watching Bogut’s longevity. Bogut signed a five-year, $60 million contract, and has little to no talent backing him up on the bench. In 26 games last year, he averaged 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. Bogut is not yet participating in contact drills, but he plans to be ready for training camp. Though they are proceeding with caution, most thought he would be further along by now. If Bogut does not heal fully by the time the season starts, I believe an increase in empty Fosters oil cans and Miller High Life bottles will be seen in the greater Milwaukee area.

The Bucks face of the franchise is star shooting guard Michael Redd. Redd had surgery for a torn ACL, and still has not begun conditioning or even shooting. Redd says he will “come back stronger than I was before. I’m doing a lot of scar-tissue work, machine work and cardio”. “The whole process is good because it’s a chance to build your body up again.” Along with Bogut, Redd plans to return by training camp.

The Bucks selected Brandon Jennings with the 10th pick of this year’s draft. Jennings is typically uber-confident, but chose not to attend the 2009 draft in fear he would not be selected. Four picks after Milwaukee chose him, with Phoenix pick Earl Clark not in attendance for his selection, Jennings emerged from the background and received a raucus round of applause. Is David Stern losing his mind? I couldn’t foresee a day when Stern would allow for these antics, but times they are a changing. Jennings oozes talent but faces a logjam positional battle. With Ramon Sessions (who we’ll get to later) and Luke Ridnour still suiting up, Jennings will have to blossom early to see minutes or start. Jennings has cat like reflexes and shows the ability to be a solid floor general. He still must improve his decision-making and shot selection.

As pointed out by Newsday, the Knicks could be restricted free agent Ramon Session’s sole interested team. The formerly intrigued Clippers are now believed to be set in their backcourt with Sebastian Telfair coming over in the Quentin Richardson trade. Sessions could sign a contract at roughly $4M per year with the  New York, and the deal should still be alive. Sessions is arguably the Bucks best point guard, but the drafting of Jennings makes Sessions more than expendable. It remains to be seen what jersey Sessions will wear next season, but the Bucks are unlikely to match any reasonable contract he will sign.

Health is a very large concern for the Bucks in the upcoming season. After trading Richard Jefferson away, the Bucks will try to put the most competitive team on the court they can. The starters will likely be Jennings, Redd, Delfino, Warrick, and Bogut. Injuries lead the Bucks to a 34 win season last year, and I would expect them to increase that by up to 15 wins should everyone remain healthy. Redd’s large expiring contract could be an attractive chip for the fiscally clenched Bucks owners, so busting up the core may be another option. While the ceiling is high, the melancholy attitude of management will undoubtedly put the Bucks back in the lottery next year. Sorry Bucks fans, at least you have an awesome city and lots of beer to get you through the season.

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/the-knicks-fix-1.812055/nate-busted-with-suspended-license-1.1378601

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