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Though he came into the league with a suspect shot, Redd has not only become a top marksman, but he's also lifted his all-around game to an All-Star level. John Biever/SI FAST FACTS Record: 41-41 (6th in East) Points Scored: 98.0 (4th in NBA) Points Allowed: 97.0 (21st) Coach: Terry Porter (second season with Bucks) 2004 Schedule | 2004 Draft Picks | 2003 Stats Like the Mavericks, the Bucks cracked the top 10 in scoring for the fifth straight year. Only the Lakers (10) and Kings (six) have longer active streaks. PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP With 2003-04 statistics DAN GADZURIC POS. PVR PPG RPG APG BPG SPG FG% FT% C 221 5.7 4.6 0.4 1.40 0.68 52.4 49.2 JOE SMITH POS. PVR PPG RPG APG BPG SPG FG% FT% PF 95 10.9 8.5 1.0 1.24 0.62 43.9 85.9 MICHAEL REDD POS. PVR PPG RPG APG SPG FG% 3FG% FT% SG 33 21.7 5.0 2.3 0.99 44.0 35.0 86.8 MIKE JAMES POS. PVR PPG RPG APG SPG FG% 3FG% FT% PG 104 9.3 2.9 4.2 1.19 41.4 37.7 81.1 KEITH VAN HORN POS. PVR PPG RPG APG SPG FG% 3FG% FT% SF 78 16.1 7.0 1.7 0.94 45.4 39.9 85.9  BENCH PVR 2003-04 Stats G-F DESMOND MASON 101 14.4 ppg 4.4 rpg 1.9 apg 0.73 spg 47.2 FG% F TONI KUKOC 119 8.4 ppg 3.7 rpg 2.7 apg 0.81 spg 41.7 FG% G MAURICE WILLIAMS 261 5.0 ppg 1.3 rpg 1.3 apg 0.49 spg 38.0 FG% C DANIEL SANTIAGO 311 4.0 ppg 2.4 rpg 0.39 bpg 0.35 spg 47.9 FG% F-C ZAZA PACHULIA 340 3.3 ppg 2.9 rpg 0.36 spg 38.9 FG% 64.4 FT%

On a team lacking veteran muscle and post-up scoring, enter the thin man

Power forward Joe Smith was goofing around after practice one day in training camp, trying to make a basket while lying on his back about 15 feet from the hoop. After four near misses he finally banked in a shot, to the amusement of several teammates. "The hardest part just now," Smith deadpanned after lifting his 6'10" frame off the floor, "was getting up."

Smith's versatility -- not to mention his gregariousness -- helped make the Bucks one of the NBA's surprise teams last year. A former overall No. 1 pick, in 1995, Smith led Milwaukee in rebounds (8.5 per game), double doubles (20) and horseplay. "Chemistry was very important to us, and Joe was a big part of that," says coach Terry Porter. "He's a jokester in the locker room, but on the court he did the grunt work."

Smith, 29, will need to bring his hard hat to work again this season. The Bucks lost underrated big man Brian Skinner, who signed with the 76ers as a free agent, leaving the center spot to unproven Dan Gadzuric and Daniel Santiago. Smith will not only have to man the pivot at times (despite weighing just 225 pounds) but also provide low-post scoring to complement Michael Redd, Desmond Mason and Keith Van Horn.

Smith says he's up to the challenge. After bouncing around with five teams in nine seasons, including two stints with the Timberwolves, he's just glad to be wanted. "In Minnesota, I was always in Kevin Garnett's shadow," says Smith. "Here it's more fun because anybody can get hot on any given night, and we're not always looking for one guy to carry us."

If Smith can continue to make contributions on and off the court, the Bucks won't have to worry about being flat on their backs at season's end, looking up at most of the teams in the East.     -- Marty Burns