2006-2007 Finish: 45-37

What went well

For the past few years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been a middling franchise that didn't garner much attention. Gone were the days where the fearsome Bucks grabbed the division title. But with the arrival of new GM Badwolf, things really turned around in the Brewing Capital of America.

It was addition by subtraction for GM Badwolf. Rather than make any trades this season, he set to work with what he had. He wisely cut loose Dan Gadzuric and Aaron Williams before the season began and that was that. The Bucks were ready to go.

The biggest victory for GM Badwolf was getting this underdog into the semi-finals. They surprised many in the NLL community by beating the heavily favored but undermanned Washington Wizards 4-2 in the first round.

The Bucks also played well at home this season with a 28-13 record. Despite losing star Michael Redd for most of the season, players like Delonte West stepped up and played some serious ball.

What didn't

Instead of riding the momentum of beating the Wizards into the second round, the Bucks got hunted down by New Jersey four games to one. The quick series showed the Bucks and GM Badwolf need to add depth to this team for them to seriously compete. Also, injuries struck at the wrong time. Redd was slated to return if the Bucks made the conference finals and Antawn Jamison had to sit part of the season out. Without their two stars, the Bucks just didn't have enough quality players to field a competative team.

Star

- Antawn Jamison, SF -

Though West scored more points, Jamison is the true star of this club. His points per game average may have slipped a little (13.3) but he brought his shooting percentage to 52% from 44% the year before. Even more amazing was the increase from 15% to 33% in his three pointers. Jamison also brought in 9.8 boards. He has still another season with the Bucks and they can expect him to produce great numbers. Jamison has a home in Milwaukee.

Goats

- Jerome James, C –

To call James a goat is almost unfair because that is all he is ever expected to be. For four seasons he has done nothing but put out mediocre numbers. Though he competed in 72 games this season (up from 49 the previous) the Bucks couldn't rely on him to do much more than mop-up duty. The worst part is he makes almost $6 million and has three years left on his contract. He has minimal value as a player and trading him will be next to impossible.

- Patrick O'Bryant, C –

This top ten pick played in only 10 games for the Bucks, averaging 10 minutes per game and making 10 field goals total. Unfortunately he didn't score 10 points per game. The good news is he is only 20 and has some raw talent. The Bucks can't expect him to produce much next season either.

Looking to the future

The Bucks enter the offseason already over the salary cap. There have been rumors that Redd will be dealt to another East team, but that may have fallen through. The biggest expiring free agent is Anderson Varejao. He is a restricted free agent and the Bucks will probably do anything in their power to keep their starting center. Other expiring players are Mike Wilks and Pat Garrity, both the Bucks should be happy to see leave.

If anything, the Bucks need to get some depth on the bench. With a healthy Redd, Hidayet Turkoglu could be an effective sixth man, but beyond that the pine is a wasteland of cast-offs and raw rooks. In the draft the Bucks got point guard Javaris Crittenton. The Georgia Tech freshman has some good size and skills and he will add to the Bucks' bench. Also drafted was big man Aaron Gray. He may help or join James, O'Bryant and Mile Ilic as big guys who do nothing more than act big.