By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor
2003-04 FINISH: 41-41
OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Zendon Hamilton (F) - Free Agent; Mike James (G) - Free Agent; Lonnie Jones (C) - Free Agent; Zaza Pachulia (F) - Trade with Charlotte; Maurice Williams (G) - Free Agent.
OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Damon Jones (G) - Signed with Miami; Brevin Knight (G) - Signed with Charlotte; Brian Skinner (F) - Signed with Philadelphia;
2004 DRAFT PICKS: NO SELECTIONS.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: PG Mike James, SG Michael Redd, SF Desmond Mason, PF Keith Van Horn, C Joe Smith
COACH: Terry Porter
(Basketball News) - What a shock last season turned out to be for the Milwaukee Bucks. The majority of the so-called experts felt the Bucks were a squad that was in a re-building mode and that this was a team that would become a fixture in the lottery for the next few years.
Well, Milwaukee finished 41-41 in a weak Eastern Conference. The Bucks record seeded them at No. 6 in the postseason, which earned them a first-round date with the Detroit Pistons, who eliminated the surprising Bucks in five games.
Head coach Terry Porter had a successful first year as the general. The players were able to adapt Porter’s style and philosophy of coaching. Porter motivated his club to be hard-working on defense, and got the Bucks to work the pick-and-roll on almost every offensive set.
Shooting guard Michael Redd flourished under Porter. The 25-year-old shooting guard led the Bucks in scoring with a career-high 21.7 points per game and earned the right to play in his first NBA All-Star Game. Redd also averaged five rebounds and 2.3 assists while starting all 82 regular-season games for Milwaukee.
High-flying forward Desmond Mason also seemed to embrace Porter’s style of play. The 27-year-old small forward averaged 14.4 points and 4.4 boards in 82 contests during the regalia season. He showed that he can be effective whether he starts or comes off the bench, as Mason started 31 contests during the regular season and then became a fixture in the starting lineup in the playoffs.
Keith Van Horn, who was acquired in February from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade that also involved the Atlanta Hawks, gives Porter a forward who should be able to be successful in an offensive style that revolves around the pick-and-roll. Van Horn netted 15.7 points and grabbed 6.3 boards per game in 25 games for Milwaukee, which is Van Horn’s fourth stop in the last three years.
During the offseason, Milwaukee signed free agent point guards Mike James, who was a member of the world champion Pistons, and Utah restricted free agent Maurice Williams, who was allowed to join the Bucks when the Jazz declined to match Milwaukee’s offer. James and Williams give Milwaukee depth at the point, as T.J. Ford continues to recover from spinal surgery.
The Bucks did lose forward Brian Skinner, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Skinner gave Milwaukee a player who could play power forward and center. He was not flashy, but he worked hard on both ends of the court and suited Porter’s system.
Porter once again has a big challenge ahead of him. He will lead a team that finished with a .500 record and is considered over-achievers because they made the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. Porter will try to get that extra effort out of his club which could result in a few more victories.
BACKCOURT
Redd is the key to Milwaukee’s backcourt, as he has established himself as one of the top shooting guards in the league. The Ohio State product attempted a career-high 1,439 shots and converted on 44 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three-point range in 2003-04. Redd, who was selected by the Bucks in the second round (43rd pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft, is the focal point of Porter’s offense and is the key to any success that Milwaukee will enjoy for many years to come.
James and Williams should see plenty of action at the point. James averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 assists for Boston and Detroit last season, while the 21- year-old Williams posted five points and dished out 1.3 assists in just over 13 minutes per game for the Jazz. If Ford, who had started all 55 games that he played in last season before he was injured, is not able to comeback in the near future than the Bucks are at least covered until he is able to resume his career.
Erick Strickland will spell Redd when the All-Star is catching his breath on the bench. The 6-3 guard saw limited action in 43 contests for the Bucks last season. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.1 assists in a little over 13 minutes per game.
Porter has also used Mason at shooting guard in the past. Mason is not known for his outside game, but he can penetrate and does have solid ball-handling skills. Even though his natural position is small forward, Mason can hold his own as an off-guard if needed.
FRONTCOURT
Mason and Van Horn are both effective at small forward, but it will not be a surprise to see the two playing a lot of minutes together. At 6-10, Van Horn, who has a reputation of being known as a "soft" player, can play the power forward.
Twenty-nine-year-old Joe Smith will see action at power forward and center. The 6-10 Smith raised his game to the next level in the playoffs, as he averaged 13.2 points and 10 rebounds in five games against Detroit. During the regular season, Smith registered averages of 10.9 points and 8.5 boards in 76 contests. The Maryland product is durable and has proven to a valuable asset to the way Porter wants his team to play on both ends of the court. He has found a home in Milwaukee and should continue to excel under Porter.
The Bucks have some depth up front, as Toni Kukoc, who was an unrestricted free agent, decided to re-sign with the team. He is a versatile player who can handle the ball and knock down the outside jumper. Kukoc played about 21 minutes per game for Porter, and averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 73 games as a reserve.
The middle is suspect with Dan Gadzuric, Daniel Santiago and Zendon Hamilton, who played with Philadelphia last season and signed with the Bucks as a free agent, battling for playing time. Smith should see a lot of time at center, while Gadzuric, Santiago and Hamilton will be asked to play defense and grab some rebounds.
Marcus Haislip and Zaza Pachulia, who was obtained from Charlotte in a trade, will also compete for playing time and a spot on the roster.
OUTLOOK
The Bucks should return to the postseason if they continue to follow Porter’s lead. Redd gives Milwaukee a serious offensive threat, while Mason and Van Horn should post respectable numbers in the scoring column. Smith, who is a former No. 1 overall pick, seems to have found his niche in Milwaukee and will need to continue to produce if the Bucks want to try and compete with the elite in the East. Milwaukee can win 45 games if they stay healthy, but the Bucks are not going to able to knock off Detroit, Indiana or Miami when the playoffs roll around.
Milwaukee Bucks 
