Welcome to the inaugural edition of eDraft’s NBA Season Preview.  We turn our attention on to the Central Division, covering everyone from the pretenders to the contenders. Today we take a look at the Bucks, an exciting team to be sure, but does Milwaukee have what it takes to get back to the playoffs?

Key Additions: Samuel Dalembert (C), John Henson (14th overall), Joel Pryzbilla (C)

I love all things Wisconsin. I love the accents, the cheese, the Packers (fan owned!), Scott Novak, American Movie, the lovely people, and above all The Bucks. I’ve loved them before I even saw them play—in real life that is. I played with them and against them (though mostly with them) in video games when they seemed to only have a roster of lumbering big men (I am sure in real life they must had had some quick guards as well, I just don’t recall them from the video game). From the foot of my bed, I could, with the likes of Frank Brickowski or Brad Lohaus, block any shot the opposing team put up, and we (meaning Larry Krystkowiak and Danny Schayes) dunked on anyone and everyone. I am absolutely sure this is how the real Bucks played. And then I loved the team again once I started to watch the games where actual people were involved; when Glen Robinson brought his Gary, Indiana swagger to a team much in need of it. Vin Baker was a disappointing player to the rest of the world, but to me he was the second coming of Kevin McHale, only better. And then there were the Golden Ray Allen Years. I had, and perhaps still have, rose-colored lenses when it comes to the Bucks so take what follows with a grain of salt.

The current Bucks team has the best starting five, top to bottom, in the division, and it isn’t even close. Consider the facts: the backcourt of Monta Ellis (17.6 PPG-5.9 APG with Milwaukee) and Brandon Jennings (19.1 PPG- 5.5 APG) is second only to that of the Nets in the East. Both can score, both can pass and both are lightning quick to the rim. One area where Jennings must improve is his shooting, last year he had a field goal percentage of just 41%, a number he must bring up.

Samuel Dalembert, who the Bucks got for pocket lint, and Shaun Livingston (sorry Jon Leuer) will provide that inside presence (career average 1.9 BPG) that should make Bucks fans feel better about the loss of Andrew Bogut. There aren’t many big men in the NBA today who can match the athleticism of Dalembert and he can be a difference maker in terms of getting into the playoffs. Before I get to the four spot I should warn you that if you haven’t watched basketball for the last ten years: Drew Gooden is NOT the player you thought he’d be coming out of Kansas! Still, he puts up solid numbers (13.7 PPG- 6.5 RPG) and his versatility causes match-up problems for opposing power forwards. Finally, playing slightly out of position at small forward, is the sweet shooting (45 3P%) yet oddly capable rebounder Ersan Ilyasova. If he can play close to the level he was at for most of the second half of last season (post All-Star break averages of 16.1 PPG- 9.1 RBS) Ilyasova will be an All-Star himself this year. This is very, very, likely to happen! Wisconsin rocks!

Reason for optimism: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (I actually think he was in the video game I played as a kid) has proven to be a capable starter. His three point shooting (39% last season) will help stretch the floor and should make this team tough to defend. Still, he and his expiring contract may be traded before the deadline.

Reason for pessimism: Again, I wouldn’t necessarily trust anything I said above. The Bucks might just be one of those really good on-paper teams who score a lot but also get outscored by a lot. The lottery is just as likely as the second round for this group. 

Projected record: 45-37 (2nd in Central Division)