Bucks can't cut it

[Lucky17]

Also, I think Toronto has the potential to make some moves and really gel towards the second half of the season and make a playoff berth.

[hpantazo]

The Bucks totally wasted their $$ this summer signing Gooden and Maggette. Ilyasova is much, much better than Gooden, and they should be letting him develop with Bogut and Jennings instead of overpaying Gooden. Also, why did they sign Maggette? He doesn't give them anything that Salmons doesn't, and Salmons is better imo. They should have let the young guys play and develop, and saved some $$ to go after a true go to guy to round out the team. Bad management decisions, now they are stuck in mediocrity.

[Fafnir]

Also, I think Toronto has the potential to make some moves and really gel towards the second half of the season and make a playoff berth.

I really don't see that happening. I'm not sure what moves they have to make.

[Lucky17]

Also, I think Toronto has the potential to make some moves and really gel towards the second half of the season and make a playoff berth.

I really don't see that happening. I'm not sure what moves they have to make.

It depends on what Colangelo wants to do with Peja's giant expiring salary and the huge Bosh trade exception. Even if they keep Peja, he gives them a sorely needed 3-point scoring threat.

And I thought they played very well against the Celtics on Sunday. If they can get any kind of consistency, they have just as as good a chance as any other team looking at the lower playoff berths.

[Fafnir]

Also, I think Toronto has the potential to make some moves and really gel towards the second half of the season and make a playoff berth.

I really don't see that happening. I'm not sure what moves they have to make.

It depends on what Colangelo wants to do with Peja's giant expiring salary and the huge Bosh trade exception. Even if they keep Peja, he gives them a sorely needed 3-point scoring threat.

And I thought they played very well against the Celtics on Sunday. If they can get any kind of consistency, they have just as as good a chance as any other team looking at the lower playoff berths.

To get Peja they got rid of a quality PG however. Meanwhile they're still going to be an average offensive team at best and a very poor to awful defensive team.

That's not a recipe for success. I suppose if you use Peja's deal to bring an impact player in that could change things. But I don't think he'll be making a short term win now move with it.

[Lucky17]

Also, I think Toronto has the potential to make some moves and really gel towards the second half of the season and make a playoff berth.

I really don't see that happening. I'm not sure what moves they have to make.

It depends on what Colangelo wants to do with Peja's giant expiring salary and the huge Bosh trade exception. Even if they keep Peja, he gives them a sorely needed 3-point scoring threat.

And I thought they played very well against the Celtics on Sunday. If they can get any kind of consistency, they have just as as good a chance as any other team looking at the lower playoff berths.

To get Peja they got rid of a quality PG however. Meanwhile they're still going to be an average offensive team at best and a very poor to awful defensive team.

That's not a recipe for success. I suppose if you use Peja's deal to bring an impact player in that could change things. But I don't think he'll be making a short term win now move with it.

Perhaps Calderon regains his form. He looked pretty good Sunday.

I'm not saying they will win the Atlantic. The top 5 teams in the East are consensus picks. The remaining 3 berths are up for grabs, and I think Toronto has perhaps the most at their disposal to improve their roster. They also have the advantage of playing in a weak division.

[indeedproceed]

The only teams clearly better than Milwaukee are Boston, Orlando, Chicago, and (probably still) Miami. Atlanta and Milwaukee are pretty even.

Milwaukee is going to be a really unlucky draw for whoever gets them in the playoffs. They're tough, they're defensively talented, and by the playoffs Bogut should be improved, and they should have figured out their rotations. Right now the talent at their 4 (LRMAM, Ilyasova, Gooden, Brock, Sanders) is not commensurate with the minutes they're getting.

Between Delfino and Maggette at the 3, and Ilyasova and LRMAM at the 4, one of each pair will likely get traded.

[Lucky17]

The only teams clearly better than Milwaukee are Boston, Orlando, Chicago, and (probably still) Miami. Atlanta and Milwaukee are pretty even.

Milwaukee is going to be a really unlucky draw for whoever gets them in the playoffs. They're tough, they're defensively talented, and by the playoffs Bogut should be improved, and they should have figured out their rotations. Right now the talent at their 4 (LRMAM, Ilyasova, Gooden, Brock, Sanders) is not commensurate with the minutes they're getting.

Between Delfino and Maggette at the 3, and Ilyasova and LRMAM at the 4, one of each pair will likely get traded.

I hear you, IP. I just am not willing to bet on Bogut staying healthy for the entire season. Ditto for the SF rotation; one of Delfino or Maggette is going to go down.

Still, the Bucks have great depth. Gooden can slide to the 5, opening up minutes at the 4 for LRMAM and/or Ersan, either of whom could play the 3 if needed.