2007-2008 NBA Season Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

The NBA's Milwaukee Bucks had a lot of anticipation for the 2005-2006 season. Year 2005 No. 1 draft choice Andrew Bogut was a year stronger and a year wiser; Michael Redd was anticipating a breakout year after signing a long-term, $90 million deal; 2006 rookie Charlie Villanueva was looking to create mismatches in the frontcourt after a surprising first year with the Toronto Raptors. Much winning was anticipated.

Then the injuries came.

Redd suffered a serious knee injury. Villanueva missed the vast majority of the 2006-07 season recovering from shoulder surgery. Small forward Bobby Simmons missed the entire 2007 season with major foot damage, and to boot, Bogut struggled after gaining more than 10 lbs. of muscle in an effort to bulk up, only to do more damage to his game becoming slower on the court in the process.

While starting point Mo Williams was able to have a great year (which netted him a lucrative long-term extension), but was left to be desired on the court.

This season, Milwaukee Bucks fans can look forward to good health and a revamping of the roster, of sorts.

Yi Jianlian from China was taken with the No. 6 pick in the 2007 Draft to bring competition and depth to the small forward and power forward positions. At 7'0" and with guard-like skills, Yi may be able to help the Bucks be even more versatile with sharpshooters in Villanueva and Simmons.

Williams will have Redd back to bring pain on the rest of the league, while the second unit of guards will remain especially strong with Charlie Bell likely becoming the official sixth man, as rookie Ramon Sessions from Nevada University and defensive stalwart Royal Ivey fill out the backcourt.

A familiar face will also bring some more explosiveness, as former NBA Slam Dunk Champion Desmond Mason sures up the shooting guard and small forward spots on the bench. Having been originally traded to the Bucks from the Seattle SuperSonics with Gary Payton for Ray Allen in 2003, and then traded away from the Bucks to the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, Mason now comes to round out the rotation and as a seven-year veteran, he will be able to stabilize the mix of youth and experience that the Bucks have as an advantage.

Don't be surprised if Milwaukee is in the thick of the playoff race. Don't be surprised if Redd and Williams are All-Stars. Don't at all be surprised if Yi gets Rookie of the Year. No one should be surprised-except maybe the Eastern Conference.