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Bogut Will Be Reserve Tank For Bucks
Coach Terry Stotts said that Smith, if healthy, would start at power forward with Magloire starting at center. Bogut, who started all eight exhibition games at center, will play a reserve role. The Bucks are hoping that starting a veteran lineup will be beneficial to them in their quest for a playoff spot. In deciding not to start Bogut, the Bucks were mindful of the fact that dating back to 1986, only three of the 19 players who were selected No. 1 overall in the draft, led their teams into the playoffs in their first season. Of those 19 players, only eight led their teams into the playoffs in their second season. "History shows that overall, No. 1 draft picks don't necessarily lead teams to playoffs," Stotts said. "As a matter of fact, it's quite the opposite." Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Mason Wanted Trade
"This summer, looking at the scenario of how things were playing out . . . we had asked to be moved," Mason told the Journal Sentinel Friday. "We thought it would be in the best of everybody's interest." Mason was traded Wednesday, along with a first-round draft choice and cash, for center Jamaal Magloire, who is expected to be introduced today at a news conference. Mason said his agent, Roger Montgomery, told the Bucks that they wanted a trade about the time the Bucks were in the process of signing free agent Bobby Simmons to a $47 million contract in August. Mason and Simmons both play the small-forward position. According to Mason, general manager Larry Harris at first gave his approval to Mason to seek a trade. But then when other teams called to inquire about a deal, the Bucks expressed no interest. "We asked to start talking to somebody else," Mason said. "Larry and all those guys gave us permission to talk. There were a few teams that were interested. They called and Larry denied them." Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Hornets Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bucks Optimistic On Ford's Health
The Bucks on Friday exercised their fourth-year option on the guard, who suffered a spinal cord bruise late in his rookie 2003-04 season that caused him to miss all of last campaign. Ford, who is to earn just over $2.3 million this season, will receive slightly less than $2.93 million for the 2006-07 season. "T.J. is a dynamic player and a key to our success going forward," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "He has worked tirelessly to get himself back on the court and demonstrated in the preseason that he's ready to help lead our team." The 22-year-old Ford, who underwent cervical spine surgery in May 2004 and was given clearance to resume playing just four months ago, has averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 assists in six preseason games. "What I've seen from T.J. in games and practices during training camp is the only T.J. I know," first-year Bucks coach Terry Stotts said. "He has a terrific attitude and understanding of the game for being such a young player in the league. I'm excited to watch him continue to develop both on and off the floor." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bucks Oct 2005 Archive
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The playoff-hopeful Milwaukee Bucks had history on their side when they decided last week to go into this season with veterans Jamaal Magloire and Joe Smith in the starting lineup and rookie Andrew Bogut coming in off the bench.
Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Desmond Mason attempted to shed more light on the bitterness he felt over being traded to the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets earlier this week by revealing Friday that over the summer he and his agent had asked the Bucks to trade him, only to be denied.
The Bucks apparently believe T.J. Ford is completely recovered from a scary injury.