Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 2005-06 season

By Ti Windisch

MILWAUKEE - APRIL 29: Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a layup against Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals durning the 2006 NBA Playoffs at Bradley Center on April 29, 2006 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - APRIL 29: Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a layup against Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals durning the 2006 NBA Playoffs at Bradley Center on April 29, 2006 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The 2005-06 Milwaukee Bucks weren’t exactly world-beaters, but the addition of Andrew Bogut helped Milwaukee get back to respectability and the postseason.

The season: 2005-06

The record: 40-42

The postseason: 1-4, lost in first round

The story:

The Milwaukee Bucks got an unexpected boost in the summer of 2005 after winning the NBA Draft Lottery and receiving the first overall pick, which Milwaukee turned into Andrew Bogut. Bogut wouldn’t end up being the best player in his class–Chris Paul takes home that honor–but he did end up being a good pro.

More from Bucks History

That started off pretty early. In his first season the Australian big man averaged 9.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, and already as a rookie boosted the Bucks defense by being on the floor.

Michael Redd continued to head up Milwaukee’s scoring efforts. Redd posted 25.4 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals in over 39 minutes played each night. Bobby Simmons and Mo Williams both added more than 12 points per game as well, while Jamaal Magloire cleaned up the glass with 9.5 rebounds per game.

The other double-digit scorer on the Bucks roster also led the team in assists. T.J. Ford was finally healthy after missing a year and a half of game time, and had a nice all-around year. Ford averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals each night in a solid comeback season.

Even with Bogut around, the Bucks’ defense was still in the bottom third in the Association. Still, a fairly high-powered offense (ranked 14th in offensive rating and 13th in points per game) led Milwaukee to some close wins and a 40-42 record. In the 2006 Eastern Conference, that was good enough for a playoff spot.

In a rematch of the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons were Milwaukee’s first-round opponent. The Pistons still had their core from two years ago intact, and had made it back to the NBA Finals in 2005 before losing to the San Antonio Spurs.

More from Behind the Buck Pass

Detroit was a tough team featuring Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. Their success as a unit despite their lack of an overwhelming star ensured those players would be remembered for a long time by NBA fans who loved the game. It also ensured they were a whole lot better than the Milwaukee Bucks were in 2006.

The series started in predictable fashion. Detroit’s defense held the Bucks to 76 points in Game 1 and the Pistons won easily. Game 2 was tighter, but the Bucks didn’t have enough to steal a road game from the juggernaut that was Detroit.

Game 3 wound up being Milwaukee’s only victory in the series. The Bucks got a stellar 40-point outburst from Michael Redd, who averaged more than 27 points per game that postseason. The only other Buck to average more than 10 points in the series was T.J. Ford, who posted 12.6 per game.

Next: 49 years in 49 days: 2004-05 season

Without much help, Redd and the Bucks fell in five games to the mighty Pistons. Another interesting 2000s offseason awaited Milwaukee.

Home/Bucks History