Defensive stopper par excellence Luc is a solid contributor on the Bucks young lineup. Luc oftens gets the tough assignment of trying to lock down the top dawg on the other team. Here he impedes Kobe's path to the hoop.
Evaluating the 10 key Bucks for 2010-'11
A closer look at a recently revamped roster
By Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: July 5, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond is trying to build a deep team with complementary parts, one that can be a yearly contender in the Eastern Conference.
He doesn't have the luxury of being able to chase after one of those high-salaried free agents, to wine and dine LeBron James or Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh.
But is that really so bad?
Hammond's moves in the past two years have brought what some observers are calling "middle-class" players with a number of middle-range salaries but with upper-class aspirations.
Instead of surrounding one or two elite free agents with lower-salaried players, the Bucks are taking a different approach and developing a more balanced team around point guard Brandon Jennings and center Andrew Bogut.
The Bucks improved from 34 to 46 victories under coach Scott Skiles last season while returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-'06 season. Now the challenge will be to keep improving while making an even deeper playoff run after being ousted in the opening round by Atlanta.
Hammond, assistant general manager Jeff Weltman and the front-office staff have been busy reshaping the roster with the NBA draft and free agency in the past few weeks.
They added 6-foot-11 power forward Larry Sanders in the first round of the draft and agreed to terms on five-year deals with shooting guard John Salmons and power forward Drew Gooden in the past week.
There's still plenty of off-season remaining, with the Bucks getting ready to take their summer league team to Las Vegas in just one week.
But let's take a brief look at 10 players who should play key roles in the 2010-'11 season:
Brandon Jennings (PG) - The 6-foot-1 guard will return for his second season after vying for the rookie of the year award and starting all 89 games, including seven playoff games. His 55-point effort in just his seventh NBA game showed everyone he had something special, and he averaged 15.5 points and 5.7 assists during the regular season. Jennings will try to improve his medium-range jumper and should benefit from his first lap around the league and going against elite point guards such as Derrick Rose, Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups.
John Salmons (SG) - The Bucks left little doubt they wanted Salmons back and moved aggressively to retain him when the free agency period opened last week. Salmons showed the ability to hit clutch shots, drill open three-pointers and get to the foul line, and the Bucks went 22-8 with him in the lineup. He gives the Bucks a true scoring threat at the 2 guard spot and a player with enough size (6-6) to defend bigger guards on other teams.
Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG) - The former University of Memphis guard, acquired in a trade for a future second-round pick, was eager to leave New Jersey and get a chance to contribute with the Bucks. He was frustrated with the Nets and sometimes let his emotions show, which didn't always help his cause. But the Bucks like his size (6-7), his youth (age 23) and his ability to get to the basket.
Corey Maggette (SF) - The 30-year-old veteran played the past two seasons for Golden State in a high-octane offense, but defense was strictly optional. That certainly won't be the case with the Bucks, so Maggette will have some adjustments to make. He can run the floor and draw fouls, another player who should fit well with Jennings and give the Bucks some needed scoring punch.
Carlos Delfino (SF) - Delfino was a mid-August pickup in a 2009 trade with Toronto, and it turned out to be one of Hammond's best moves. The Argentine forward fit well in the Bucks' quick-passing offense, and he could provide a dazzling dunk and critical three-pointers, along with some defense and rebounding. His three from the corner in Game 5 against Atlanta helped give the Bucks a comeback victory that nearly knocked the Hawks out before Atlanta rallied to win the final two games of the series. The Bucks elected to bring him back at a $3.5 million salary next season.
Drew Gooden (PF) - The Bucks had been eyeing Gooden for a while, and the interest was mutual. The 6-10 veteran agreed to terms on the first day of free agency after finishing last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Gooden's agent, Stu Lash, pointed out that the big man's best work has been done next to a traditional center (Zydrunas Ilgauskas in Cleveland). And Gooden again will be paired with a true center while playing next to Bogut.
Luc on Ron-ron, see ya in South BeachLuc Richard Mbah a Moute (PF/SF) - The addition of Gooden could mean Mbah a Moute will come off the bench, although that is yet to be determined. Skiles likes to use Mbah a Moute to defend the best player on the opposing team, whether that player is a wing or a power forward. And the Cameroon native also has taken his turn against centers and point guards. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant called Mbah a Moute one of the toughest defenders he faced last season.
Larry Sanders (PF/C) - The 6-11 rookie from Virginia Commonwealth excited the Bucks brass with his athleticism and shot-blocking ability. He was rated highly by a number of teams, and the Bucks grabbed him at No. 15 on draft night, rather than trading down and taking a risk he wouldn't still be on the board. Skiles said the Bucks would do well to emulate the length featured by NBA Finals teams Los Angeles and Boston, and selecting Sanders was a step in that direction.
Andrew Bogut (C) - The Australian crashed to the floor on April 3 against Phoenix, a night all Bucks fans will remember. The fractured right hand and dislocated right elbow he suffered in the gruesome fall meant his season was over, and the Bucks had to carry on without their 7-footer in the playoffs. He is not playing international basketball this summer but focusing on his rehabilitation and preparing for his sixth season in Milwaukee.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) - The Turkish forward was a great rediscovery for the Bucks after he played the previous two seasons for Regal FC Barcelona in Spain. He gave Bogut plenty of help with the rebounding chores and also was able to space the floor as a three-point threat. Ilyasova will play for Turkey as his country hosts the FIBA World Championship later this summer.
Luc on the Buck mascotMost of us agree, "in Hammonds we trust." He's earned that by bringing us respectability. What I like is the depth we have. Now, the challange is for the newcomers to buy into what the Bucks are: blue-collar, workmanlike, tough defensively, and athletic. However, in the NBA, I don't fear the opponent as much as I do the referees. What is the countdown on David Stern's departure?
MUH: Hey, where is Michael Redd?!?
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