Mike Wickett

On the day before the 2012 NBA draft, the Bucks sent F Jon Leuer, F/C John Brockman, G Shaun Livingston and the 12th pick to the Houston Rockets for the 14th pick and C Samuel Dalembert. This did not solidify the Bucks at the top of the centeral division, but it did make them better. 

 

Dalembert immediately provides Milwaukee with a starting center. Is he Dwight Howard? No. But he's a big body who can rebound and block some shots...and he's much better than ANYTHING the Bucks have at the position. Now Drew Gooden can go back to the PF spot and Udoh/Sanders can be interchanged at the PF/C spots.

 

As for what they gave up?? They did what i hoped: They trimmed the fat.

 

Brockman: 12th guy on the bench & 6th pf? buh bye.

Livingston: backup point guard? buh bye.

Leuer: 2nd round pick...PF...buh bye. Yes, i know he's a Badger...but he's still Jon Leuer. 

 

They traded 3 bench players for a legitimate starting Center. Do the math. This was a good trade, NOT a great trade. But the Bucks got better on wednsday.

Now...what will they do at #14? Like Bart Scott said..."CAN'T WAIT!!"
 

cheers...

 

~mw

Let's recap, shall we??
 

 2 Shortstops...1 1st Baseman...1 All Star caliber catcher...your 3rd starting pitcher...your 5th starting pitcher...your 6th starting pitcher...1 center fielder...
 
That's what the Milwaukee Brewers have lost for at least 2 weeks a piece this season! Now, I'm not trying to make excuses but that's pretty tough for any team to overcome. Couple the injury situation with slow starts for Aramis Ramirez & Rickie Weeks, a very inconsistant year for Corey Hart and a bullpen which has been completely unreliable as of late...and that’s how you get to this point for the Brew Crew (33-40). Thank god Ryan Braun has had a fantastic year or this could be much much worse.
 
Most likely to turn it around: John Axford
Least likely to turn it around: Corey Hart
X factor: Rickie Weeks
 
If this team can SOMEHOW play consistent baseball from now til the trade deadline at the end of July, watch for owner Mark Attanasio to be a "buyer" as opposed to selling off Zack Greinke.
 
~mw

Well it appears the Bucks will draft a big man. Scouting Director Billy McKinney made that pretty darn clear yesterday when we talked to him. I would've liked to see a scoring 2-3 at #12 next year, but it appears a PF/C is coming to Milwaukee. The "experts" seem to think GM John Hammond will choose UNC big man Tyler Zellar. I don't really care for this. McKinney basically told us Zeller won't get a lot better in the NBA. Really? That's the guy you're using your 1st round pick on? take a gamble. Take a risk. Why not? Here's a list of 3 players I'd rather see the Bucks take over Zeller at pick #12

 

-Austin Rivers, SG- Duke. If Monta Ellis is gone after this year, the 6' 5" SG would slide in with his instant office nicely.

 

-Perry Jones III, PF/C- Baylor. TREMENDOUS "up-side". Big man who can run the floor, block shots & clean up a mess.

 

-Terrence Jones, SF/PF- Kentucky. At 6'9" a tremendous mismatch with ability to score everywhere. And i like players coming out of Calipari's system.

 

we shall see....more on the draft next week..

 

cheers...

 

~mw