The Bucks figure that 30-year old shooting guard Michael Redd is not going to opt out of his contract as he is still recovering. They really would get a huge boost from him if he can just stay healthy in 2010-11. Redd played in only 18 games (12 starts) for the Bucks last season and he averaged 27.3 minutes, 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He only shot 35.2% from the floor which was pretty darn awful but they know that he’s much better than that. Redd has now played in 568 games (427 starts) in his 10 years with the Bucks and he has averaged 33.8 minutes, 20.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Redd is 7th in Bucks’ history in games played (568), he’s #2 in three pointers made (999) and he is #4 in points scored (11,510). If Redd can stay healthy there is no reason he can’t help the Bucks in 2010-11.

Sure the Bucks have made the playoffs but they won’t likely go to far unless Brandon Jennings quits shooting so many bricks. Jennings has played in 76 games (all starts) for the Bucks this season and he is averaging 32.8 minutes, 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is only shooting 37.1% from the floor and that is simply pathetic. Jennings will have to pass the ball more in the playoffs especially without Andrew Bogut around to rebound his bricks.

UPDATE: (4/16/2010) – Jennings finished up his rookie season playing in 82 games (all starts) in which he averaged 32.6 minutes, 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He only shot 37.1% from the floor this year.

Kurt Thomas will likely be the Bucks’ new starting center for the rest of the year. He has played in 64 games (3 starts) this season for the Bucks and he is averaging 13.6 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Thomas is shooting 50.3% from the floor but the Bucks have enough scorers on the team already. If Thomas hits the boards and plays good D that would be enough for the Bucks.

Milwaukee Bucks’ rookie Brandon Jennings has been playing very well for a rookie this season, but his shot has been struggling for quite some time now.  Jennings still has a game every now and then where he will light it up, but his shot has been far from consistent and opposing teams are starting to take note.  On the season he is averaging 17.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 38% shooting.  He is shooting 39% from three on the season, but he only hit 32% in December and 35% in January.  That is not too bad for three point shooting, but it is his overall FG percentage that is cause for concern, as it keeps getting worse.  He shot 42% in November, 38% in December, and 32% in January.  It looks like the 6’1″, 170 lbs. rookie has been hitting a wall.  Jennings is still a good playmaker for the Bucks, and is one of the top rookies in the league, but he really needs to start shooting at a better percentage.

The Bucks will likely move Charlie Bell into the starting line-up with Michael Redd done for the year. Bell has played in 32 games (15 starts) this year for the Bucks and he is averaging 25.3 minutes, 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Bell likely won’t be in the starting line-up very long unless his shot starts to improve as he is shooting 37.9% from the floor this year.

If 27-year old small forward Carlos Delfino doesn’t start shooting better soon the Bucks should cut his minutes. He has played in 28 games (27 starts) for the Bucks this season and he is averaging 25.6 minutes, 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Delfino is only shooting 37.7% from the floor and that just will not get the job done for a small forward in the NBA.

Michael Redd has been the best offensive player on the Bucks for quite a few years now. But, he has been injured the last couple of years and the rust is showing so far this season . He has played in 10 games (4 starts) for the Bucks this season and he is averaging 27.4 minutes, 10.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Redd’s shooting has been was off so far this year as he is only shooting 34.8% from three point range, 30.6% from three point range and 54.5% from the free throw line. Redd is much better than that and if he and Andrew Bogut can just stay healthy the Bucks could be a surprise team the rest of the year.

Desmond Mason has been shooting really bad this month (39.5% from the floor) and that’s need to change based on how much the Bucks are paying him. Mason has started 6 games this month so far and he’s averaging 25.5 minutes, 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game. The Bucks can’t click on all cylinders with Michael Redd doing everything on offense so they need Mason to step up.

Charlie Bell signed an offer sheet with the Miami Heat in the off-season and he flat out told the Bucks not to match it because he wouldn’t play hard for them. That seems to be the case this season as he’s playing awful. He has played in 15 games so far this season and he’s averaging 18.5 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. His shooting was a strength last season but he’s only hitting 28.8% from the floor and he will continue to see his minutes diminish if he doesn’t start shooting better soon. The Bucks should have just let him walk.

With all of the injuries the Bucks have suffered they are giving Ersan Ilyasova some big minutes, now they need him to produce. In April, Ilyasova has played in 7 games and he’s averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He’s only shooting 37.7% from the floor and he’s 6 for 21 (28.6%) from three-point range.Â