Strong finish saves Bucks
Dec 5, 2015 12:25:36 GMT
Post by gibbs on Dec 5, 2015 12:25:36 GMT
Another tough initiation for the GM of the Bucks. It seems it has to come the hard way or it's the highway for the new look Bucks. Nothing comes free and just when the Bucks look done and dusted boasting close to the worst record in the league they go out and beat the reigning champions on the 17th of February winning the game by 7 points and using the occasion to kick start their season. With 2 months left in the season and just 12 wins to their credit Milwaukee do what none would expect of them and win 19 games to barely scrape into the 1990 playoffs with wins against long time rivals the New York Knicks and finally the ultimate face-off in the game against the New Jersey Nets where the winner was guaranteed to play finals. The win against the Nets was sweet for the Buck veterans Derek Harper and Terry Cummings who still feel the pain of recent finals exits at the hands of the Nets, especially the 1987 conference finals series.
Bucks Team MVP - Terry Cummings 17.1ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.0spg
Milwaukee's team MVP has been awarded to Terry Cummings. The much loved Buck of Milwaukee's fan base had 1 of his finest season's to date leading the Buck's in scoring and rebounding through the regular season quite often dragging his team single handed over the line. The Bucks GM has praised Cummings all season long but the thought is to try and move Cummings to the small forward position for the 1991 season. Cummings award was given to him not only for his great regular season but also for his outstanding playoff performance against the Bulls where averaged 20.8ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.3apg playing small forward. The future Buck hall of famer a leading contributor in the teams eventual success.
Rookie of the Year award well deserved. Gary Payton
Bucks fans rejoice as the GM's golden child in Gary Payton leads his draft class to clinch the 1990 rookie of the year award. Payton was outstanding at shooting guard throughout the year leading his class in scoring, steals and assists with 16.5ppg, 4.5apg, 1.3spg to come close even lead his team in these area's. Payton looks set to have a big 1991 and his teams success hinges largely on his output.
Finals - Still winless
It's been a dismal 2 years for the Bucks now. Getting swept last year in the 1st round by the Knicks was bad and then to come out and get swept again byt the eventual championship winning Bulls is a hard pill to swallow. Michael Jordan and the Bulls were an unstoppable force this year who brushed many teams aside on their way to the championship but the Bucks were atleast competitive. For the second year straight Derek Harper had a terrible finals campaign going down in the opening minutes of game 1 against Chicago to exactly the same injury he suffered in game 1 against the Knicks the year before. Gary Payton's deficiency as a true point guard were on full display in game 2 stepping as the starting PG in place of the injured Harper. Payton got absolutely schooled on his way to 11 turnovers and eventually fouling out in similar fashion to his regular season starts at PG which means he may not be a suitable replacement for Harper in years to come. Shackleford and Cummings were the standout players for the Bucks in the finals who both eclipsed their regular season averages.
The way forward - Get bigger.
It was clearly noticeable throughout the season that Shackleford is not a true center and should be moved over to the PF position and Terry Cummings despite being a great rebounder for his size is probably more suited to playing the small forward role where he could dominant lazy wings. With Dwayne Schintzius the only true center in the squad and also suffering from a year long knee injury the Bucks have no choice but to either trade in bigs or gain their services in free agency. The rest of the court is covered very well but the big spot in the center needs a big boost, whether it's a defensive center or an offensive center we'll soon find out.