Change, the ubiquitous political rhetoric that has swept the nation, has apparently resonated with the NBA.
This summer, the league took part in several drastic changes: a contentious team relocation, moving the now defunct Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City, the decampment of several players to international competition, the celebration of 12 gold medal winners and a significant makeover by the means of trades and big-name free agents signings.
The Milwaukee Bucks, owned by Democratic Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl, felt the need to partake in some alterations of its own, supplanting old faces with new ones and taking part in the Olympic celebrations, boasting a gold-medalist of its own.
The clearing-house began with the firing of general manager Larry Harris near the end of last season. Harris was succeeded by John Hammond, a former executive with the Detroit Pistons in April. Hammonds did not waste much time, firing first year head coach Larry Krystkowiak less than a week on the job.
Several days later, the team hired former Chicago Bulls head coach Scott Skiles to become the 11th coach in team history. Skiles had previously led the Bulls to three postseason appearances before being let go after only 25 games last season.
The Bucks also made some key trades in the off-season, dealing Chinese national Yi Jianlian, oft-injured forward Bobby Simmons, fan-favorite Desmond Mason and uncharismatic point guard Mo Williams.
In return, the team acquired small forward Richard Jefferson from the Nets and point guard Luke Ridnour from Seattle Sloppy Seconds/Oklahoma Thunder. The trades allowed the team to shore up the small forward position and swap a shoot-first Williams for a pass-first Ridnour.
The Bucks did more shopping over the summer via free agency and the NBA Draft. The team signed veteran forwards Malik Allen and Francisco Elson and recently picked up former Pacers forward Austin Croshere.
But where the team figures to see the biggest dividends both this season and throughout the future, is from the draft. With the eighth pick, they selected West Virginia forward Joe Alexander, a player all too familiar to Marquette fans.
Last season against the Golden Eagles, Alexander scored 19 points as the Mountaineers upset then No. 10 ranked Marquette.
As far as this season goes though, Alexander has not been the biggest rookie contributor to the team. That honor goes to rookie Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, a forward from UCLA picked in the second round. He is averaging just over 9 points and 6 rebounds a game, adding a huge boost to a somewhat destitute frontcourt.
Another novelty the Bucks can add to their laundry list of improvements is a gold-medal winner. Lefty Michael Redd helped Team USA capture the gold medal in August, providing the USA a much-needed threat from beyond the arc.
While many experts do not see the Bucks destined to go very far this season, I will make a bold prediction, prognosticating the team to fill out as the eighth seed in the East.
And now, some more playoff predictions: I’ve got the Celtics and Pistons in the East and the Lakers and Suns in the West. In the Finals, the universal sentiment of change will ultimately come to end when the Celtics repeat as NBA Champions.
Analogous to the politics of today, many teams have felt the need for change, looking for any sign of hope and promise that next year will be better. For some bottom-dwellers like the Bucks, they believe they have found change they can believe in.
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