Does this team, as is, make the playoffs?

[75totheMACCfund]

No replies necessary...simple poll question...it's rather obvious that more moves are going to be made...but, with the team as is, could it make the playoffs in the East? I know there are rosters spots that need to be filled...

[emunney]

I voted no. Too thin and light in the frontcourt defensively and on the glass. But it wouldn't be impossible, there's just a lot that would have to go right.

[paulpressey25]

I voted no. Too thin and light in the frontcourt defensively and on the glass. But it wouldn't be impossible, there's just a lot that would have to go right.

I was depressed to read your comments but you are probably right. I'm all for this "win-now" but think we need to go further with another win-now trade to make this worthwhile.

In the meantime, Ty on his blog has an interesting Skiles analysis. He thinks Skiles is worth at least 11 wins next year on his defensive coaching. It is a good read.

http://bucksdiary.blogspot.com/2008/06/ ... kiles.html

[Nowak008]

If we get to resign Ruffin and another back up C, yes.

[paul]

Yes, just. But with a few more minor changes the team can get much better.

[xTitan]

not at this time, stillhave that bad backcourt and 3 incredibly weak defenders. Hammond said you might be able to cover for 1 but not 3, which is why he is not done.

[MikeIsGood]

I voted no, but I do think it's probably close even as is. I think some tweaks will be made that will project us comfortably to the playoffs.

[WEFFPIM]

No, because if I remember correctly, the rules of the NBA allow for just one basketball to be used during the game. Plus, even if they could use 3 basketballs at once, they'd never have possession of any of them because they can't stop anyone and can't rebound anything.

[barbados73]

I voted no, because there is no(or very little) defense in the projected starting five. Skiles can't work miracles. Even if they do happen to squeek into the playoffs they will be a first round exit. If the Bucks want any of my money, more moves need to be made.

[RayRayJones]

I said no. We have no chemistry right now. Mo/Redd/RJ trio will be fighting over the ball all the time and we'll get nowhere results wise while we go 100% backwards in the locker room till we end up with nobody wanting to stay here, then we have no win-now or win-later, only win-maybe later. We need to get rid of one of the components of the trio and get a specialist in here (pass first PG, pure shooting SG, no demanding Redd crap) before we can win now.

[trwi7]

No, not as is. I would however like to see this team as is play together for a little while to see if Skiles pulls out the remaining hair that he has and/or goes Latrell Sprewell on a player.

[ReasonablySober]

I'll vote yes. If Skiles is the coach we keep saying and hearing he is, he should be able to turn an olympian, a top SF (arguably top five last season) and the "2nd best center in the East" into a .500 team.

[Johnny Newman]

I was hoping for another huge trade to land another star like the Celtics and bet the future for now. Maybe future first and Mo,Cv,Dez,Gadz land us something.

[aboveAverage]

Not yet. Once we get some depth at the guard and power forward position, we can make the playoffs. Still too weak of a defensive backcourt. And, still Villanueva in the starting lineup.

[worthlessBucks]

I think we're a fringe playoff team, there's still plenty of work to be done regarding the roster and the East can't get much worse than it was last year, so there will be improvement there (broken record year after year, but it'll happen for sure this year). I was amused about the Big 3 thread, I know its purpose was to statistically look at the scoring of those individuals, but there were a few people who said they liked our current team better then the previous Big 3. That's all well and good if you like them as players, but it doesn't automatically translate to wins on the court. I mean if Redd and Mo (assuming they're both still here) aren't playing defense, they won't be on the court to score if Skiles does indeed lay down the law. I have to see Michael Redd show a willingness to pass the ball to his teammates for more than 5 games and not selfishly take over down the stretch. Will Andrew Bogut play competitive basketball before January? Will his tantrums continue? I can't wait to see whose personalities won't mesh with Skiles right off the bat, we'll get a good indication of who is moving next February.

[MilBucksBackOnTop06]

No replies necessary...simple poll question...it's rather obvious that more moves are going to be made...but, with the team as is, could it make the playoffs in the East? I know there are rosters spots that need to be filled...

I hate polls that do not have another option besides yes or no! Polls like that are dumb...and limite dialogue! Things are not that cut and dried.

Even the ballot box has a third choice. You can't make a definite answer right now! There is the view on paper and then there are other things you look at.

Yes and no! I can't answer this question now. None of you can with the history of this team the past 5 years regardless to how the roster looks!

We can all lean one way or another and I lean towards Yes, but it is not a definite Yes because you need a PF and PG and other teams are improving and some are falling back.

The Pistons, Nets, Cavs, Heat and a few other teams are taking steps back to the pack.

Those spots will be taken by the Knicks, Wizards, Bulls, Magic along with the Celtics and Raptors. Free agency will dictate what the up and coming powers the Sixers, Hawks, and Bobcats will do...

But I did not answer your poll because I am waiting to see what they do in the coming weeks of free agency. The Bucks could move from out of the lottery to my favorite to win a top 3-5 spot in the East!

They could be next year's Boston to a certain extent if they get the right PF and PG and add the right depth...They can make a big jump. But so can Toronto and the Magic.

If this helps you out I will make my rankings as of this draft.

#1. Boston:Until someone knocks them off they are still the Champs. Have to resign Posey.
#2. Cavs:LeBron is LeBron...
#3. Raptors: Twin towers will be a load to handle. Need a SG to seal the deal.
#4. Pistons: Don't know what they do. But as of today...
#5. Magic:Get D. Howard some help and PG they can win the East!
#6. Wizards: Healthy Arenas and Jamison if they return will be a factor.
#7. Knicks: D'Antoni style and coaching prowess will make huge impact with Walsh running show.
#8 Hawks, Sixers, Bulls...then Bucks???? Pacers, Nets, Bobcats...

I have the Bucks a borderline 8th seed as of right now. They are two more moves and players away from the 8th seed to all the way up to the 4th or 5th seed depending on who they bring in.

[aaprigs311]

Gotta get a real PF before they can make the playoffs. As of right now they're just a fun team to play with on NBA Live.

[CBUCK06]

How about adding Diop.

[emunney]

I was depressed to read your comments but you are probably right. I'm all for this "win-now" but think we need to go further with another win-now trade to make this worthwhile.

Don't be sad, PP. I predicted playoffs the last two years. Or is that why you're upset? Am I the resident optimist? Also, I'd be shocked if the team is left as is, even if not for the MTCers.

[jerrod]

I'll vote yes. If Skiles is the coach we keep saying and hearing he is, he should be able to turn an olympian, a top SF (arguably top five last season) and the "2nd best center in the East" into a .500 team.