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TrueHoop Network Mock Draft: Alec Burks to Bucks at 10

June 20th, 2011 Jeremy Schmidt 1 comment

With the number 10 pick in the TrueHoop Network Mock Draft, I’m predicting the Milwaukee Bucks will select Alec Burks, the athletic shooting guard out of Colorado. Hopefully the Milwaukee Bucks can safely arrive at the same place I have come Thursday or at least arrive in the same general area. Klay Thompson, Jordan Hamilton, Marshon Brooks, any of the prospects Milwaukee has seen its name connected to would be justifiable in one way or another.

What would not be justifiable? The actualization of the insane rumor that’s been floating around the past few days.

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Central Division draft outlook

June 17th, 2011 Josh Hilgendorf 4 comments

We have spent several weeks and many words discussing Bucks draft workouts and the team’s needs heading into next Thursday’s NBA Draft. But what about the teams Milwaukee will compete with most often next season? While the other teams in the Central Division had varying degrees of success and failure last season, all of them have needs to address.

Here is a team-by-team breakdown of what to expect from the other Central Division teams in next week’s amateur draft.

Chicago Bulls

Draft Picks: 28 (from Heat), 30 and 43 (from Jazz)

The reigning Central Division champions finished with the best record in the league last season at 62-20 and made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls appeared on course for the NBA Finals until LeBron James used his height, athleticism and lateral quickness, all of which seemed to disappear against the Mavericks, to slow down Derrick Rose and take the series in five games.

After watching shooting guards Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer flounder on the offensive end (the only time either player scored in double figures was Brewer’s 10 points in game five), it is clear the two-guard position is most in need of an upgrade. The team certainly understands this, as evidenced by the rumors that circled around the trade deadline about OJ Mayo heading to the Windy City.

Unfortunately for Chicago, the success of last season means they will have to wait until the end of the first round to make their initial selection. By trading James Johnson to the Raptors, the Bulls acquired the Heat draft pick sent to Toronto for Chris Bosh. As a result, the Bulls have two of the last three selections in the first round.

With picks at the end of the round, it is hard to forecast what players will be available with the expected unpredictability of this year’s draft. Some possible options for the Bulls include high scoring Charles Jenkins of Hofstra, potential packed Josh Selby of Kansas or athletic Travis Leslie of Georgia.

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The Klay Thompson and Alec Burks difference for the Milwaukee Bucks

June 16th, 2011 Jeremy Schmidt 2 comments

The Klay Thompson Bandwagon appears to have picked up some steam in Milwaukee yesterday.

A new mock draft projection, glowing articles about how he compares to an NBA Hall of Famer and plenty of positive quotes about his workout in Milwaukee. That’s the upside of working out with a team, having the right information leak out and putting on a happy face when the media comes calling. But ultimately, it seems like the Bucks draft night decision may hinge on something else, assuming their choice boils down to the two swingmen that have often been discussed recently.

Is this squad more in need of versatility and shooting or athleticism?

In a nutshell, that’s the decision Milwaukee will be faced with if both Thompson and Alec Burks are on the board.

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Bucks bring in group six for draft workouts

June 15th, 2011 Jeremy Schmidt Comments off

Things pick back up with a little more intrigue today as the Milwaukee Bucks workout six guards, two of which are projected to be first round picks, with one being viewed as a potential lottery pick.

  • Klay Thompson - Guard – Washington State
  • Jordan Hamilton - Guard – Texas
  • Marcus Simmons – Guard – USC
  • Bill Clark - Guard – Duquesne
  • Corey Fisher - Guard – Villanova
  • Corey Higgins - Guard – Colorado

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Europe: Scouted. Workouts: Back On.

June 14th, 2011 Jeremy Schmidt Comments off

After spending a week scouting in Europe, the Milwaukee Bucks draft contingent is back in St. Francis today conducting another workout. As far as Bucks draft workouts have gone, this is likely to be the least glamourous of the bunch, with largely second round prospects venturing in today.

  • Blake Hoffarber – Guard – Minnesota
  • Casey Mitchell - Guard – West Virginia
  • Keaton Nankivil – Forward – Wisconsin
  • Mustapha Farrakahn - Guard – Virginia
  • Mychel Thompson - Forward – Pepperdine
  • Travele Jones – Forward – Texas Southern

Neither Draft Express or NBADraft.net has any of today’s workout participants penciled into the respective site’s mock draft.

That doesn’t mean you haven’t seen some of these guys before. Obviously Wisconsin native and Badger fan punching bag Keaton Nankivil rings a bell, but you’ve probably seen a lot more of Blake Hoffarber than you realize.  Remember this shot?

Not only an accomplished buzzer beater-er, Hoffarber holds the Golden Gopher three-point record, having hit 279 in his college career.

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Nankivil tantalized and frustrated Badger fans over the past four years by being as passive as he was talented. But the 6-foot-8 forward made 42% of his threes in college. Given his weaknesses as a rebounder and general banger inside, Nankivil is virtually undraftable, but like many Badgers before him, could land a spot in the D-League next season and beyond.

Jeremy Schmidt writes the Milwaukee Bucks blog Bucksketball.com. Follow him on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.