Team page/schedule | Stats: Preseason | Roster
Last year: 52-30, first in Central, second in conference
Coach/GM: George Karl/Ernie Grunfeld
Arena, first game: Bradley Center (18,717); Nov. 5, 1988
All-time franchise record/NBA titles: 1,462-1,212/1
Notable: Won 50 for first time since 1987

THE ROTATION
Pos	Player	Key Stat	Skinny
PG	Sam Cassell	7.6 apg	Always unhappy with $$, but productive
SG	Ray Allen	202 threes	Best outside shooter in NBA is improving
SF	Glenn Robinson	22 ppg	Big Dog was big scorer in long playoff run
PF	Jason Caffey	.488 FG	Holding spot for Anthony Mason signing?
C	Ervin Johnson	97 blocks	Not great, but Przybilla is hardly ready
6th	Tim Thomas	12.6 ppg	Gives energy, scoring, no boards
7th	Mark Pope	2.4 ppg	Oft-injured Darvin Ham would get this role
8th	Rafer Alston	.357 FG	As backup PGs go, OK; George loves him

		If the Bucks get Anthony Mason, as reported, he would be a big boost for the Bucks. He would give them a rebounder and an inside scorer. His presence won't disrupt their three main players -- Sam Cassell, Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson -- who should still run and score, and will Tim Thomas off the bench. Mason's addition would put the Bucks with Orlando as the teams to beat in the East. However, to get to the next level, they need other players have to step up, like Ervin Johnson, Jason Caffey and Joel Przybilla. The Bucks tend to have severe ups and downs. They must get it together early, keep it together and then improve so they are playing their best in the playoffs.

By Jeffrey Denberg
Special to ESPN.com

Things should be good in Milwaukee, or George-town, as the Brew City should properly be known.

All major players are back for a team that went seven games in the Eastern Conference finals before falling to Philadelphia.

The coach -- that's George Karl -- has been re-upped for so many millions of dollars he could be a player.

But, wait, something is wrong. Seems George isn't very happy.

George being unhappy is not exactly news because George tends to see the dark side of all things. But in this case, George's displeasure can be contagious because he wants his boss, Sen. Herb Kohl to pay one Anthony Mason $4.5 million, the league's middle class exception, to play for his team. George has recruited one and all to tell the Senator that Mason is the key for his team. Only the Senator, on the threshold of having to pay the luxury tax, knows Mason can cost him $15 million this season -- $4.5 mil in salary, $4.5 mil in dollar for dollar taxes, up to $6 million in kick backs from NBA players.

George, like all coaches, thinks in terms of wins and losses.

The Senator, like all smart owners, takes the bottom line into account.

Mason says he will sit out the season if he can't get the middle class exception. So, if Mason sits out the year, or if he signs with the Bucks, takes the $1.3 million veteran's exception, reports out of shape and pouts, will George harp on this business all year and become a total pain in the rear?

Note that on Oct. 22 the Bucks dealt Scott Williams to Denver to, as speculated, free up money for Mason. We'll see.

Who's Who
A total of 16 players went to camp with the Bucks. They'll open the season with virtually the same cast that finished the last one. In at least one case, the same miserable attitude has returned, too. Yes, it's Sam Cassell, moaning and groaning because he isn't making enough money, aware there is nothing the Bucks can do about the six-year, $21 million deal he signed in New Jersey; Sam's aware he has two years left at a comparatively low wage; Sam's aware the Bucks have a three-year, $17.6 million extension offer on the table and not caring one bit. Yes, that was Sam who had the blue flu at practice.

On top of this, Glenn Robinson is not totally recovered from ankle surgery. Like Sam, Glenn misses some time. Yes, George stews. On top of this center and co-captain Ervin Johnson announces again that he does not want to start, takes the option right of George's hands..

	FANTASY SLEEPER
	Tim Thomas, SF -- While still firmly rooted in the shadow of the Big 3, Thomas has nonetheless seen his points, assists, steals, blocks and 3-pt. FG improve in each of the past two seasons. At 6-10, Thomas can play virtually every position in a pinch, and his steady NBA development should finally warrant 30-plus minutes a night this season.

The Big Question
Can everybody just get along? George says he needs Mase so he can have somebody to fistfight. Can he resist the impulse to throw Mason's name up every time something goes wrong? Can the Bucks develop enough of an inside post game? If things go wrong, will a small market town like Milwaukee keep the turnstiles humming so the Senator doesn't go too deeply into the red? More than one question, sure, but this is the Bucks.

Best/Worst Case Scenario
Suppose Mason comes in, takes the $1.3, performs like a champ, and the Bucks win 50 to 55 games and make it to the NBA Finals, where they would lose to the Lakers. This, of course, assumes Cassell can get over his pout, Robinson's ankles are okay and Ray Allen is Ray Allen.

If any of this goes wrong, the Bucks will be pressed to gain home court advantage in the contentious East. Remember, talented as they are the Bucks are a bit fragile in the psyche and on the inside. They are freewheeling, free-spirited, as dangerous to each other as they are to the rest of the league. They don't have a traditional post game or a traditional attitude. They could slip close to .500 if things go wrong. Don't bet on it, though.

OVERRATED	UNDERRATED	TEAM MVP
Jason Caffey. Couldn't keep the PF job last year, they better sign Mason or it's his job again.	Sam Cassell. In terms of salary, yes. And numbers-wise he's outperforming similar but touted guys.	Ray Allen. Get his basketball cards now, because a long, fruitful career is only beginning.