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Milwaukee Bucks Zones should help shore up Bucks' weak defense
Updated: Wednesday October 03, 2001 6:59 PM
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com The Bucks didn't make many changes in the offseason, but, then again, they didn't need to. Last year they won their first Central Division title since 1985 and took the Sixers to seven games in the Eastern finals. They also lit up scoreboards to the tune of 100.7 points per game, second only to the Kings. The Big Three of Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell hope to take the next step this season. Along with Tim Thomas, they have plenty of shooters to render those zone defenses ineffective. Meanwhile, they should be able to use zones -- along with the presence of shot-blocking center Ervin Johnson -- to cover for their well-chronicled defensive weaknesses.
The Bucks will miss Lindsey Hunter, who was traded to the Lakers for Greg Foster in a cost-saving move, but they feel Thomas and second-year guard Michael Redd can pick up the slack. The bigger question is at power forward, where Scott Williams, Jason Caffey and Darvin Ham will once more battle it out for playing time. Each has his strengths, but none provides a consistent low-post scoring threat. The Bucks learned what it takes a year ago, but they still need somebody down low who can put the ball in the basket. Relying on jump shooters -- even good ones -- is dangerous in the NBA. Allen's emerging leadership will be a big plus, but it remains to be seen whether they can buck the odds once again. Standout Stat: 1 Number of Eastern Conference teams that averaged more than 100 points per game last season. The Bucks joined the Kings, Lakers and Mavs atop the offensive ranks.
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