Because they had seven players tied down with fat, long-term deals that totaled more than $23 million, the Bucks had precious little cap room in the off-season. The only free agent they could afford was swingman Michael Curry,who joins his fourth team in four NBA seasons. Though he has averaged fewer than four points a game in his career, Curry's defensive prowess makes him a perfect fit in the system of coach Chris Ford, who spent the better part of last season exhorting his troops to guard somebody. The 6'5" 29-year-old from Georgia Southern will back up both shooting guard Ray Allen and small forward Glenn Robinson. Curry's decision to sign with Milwaukee definitely made Robinson happy, because now Big Dog will have to face Curry only in practice. "He's been a factor with Detroit the past two years, and he's one of the better defenders at [small forward]," says G.M. Bob Weinhauer. "In fact, Glenn felt he may have been the best defender he faced all year."