Milwaukee Bucks 21st in ESPN NBA Power Rankings

Published: 19^th Mar 12 4:24 pm

by Michael Terrill
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Milwaukee Bucks 21st in ESPN NBA Power Rankings

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

The Milwaukee Bucks have moved up another three spots to be ranked 21^st in Marc Stein’s ESPN NBA Power Rankings.

Two weeks ago the Bucks were ranked 28^th and last week they moved up four spots to be 24^th in the rankings. Over the past week, Milwaukee has posted a 3-0 record while defeating the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. Also, power forward Ersan Ilyasova and center Drew Gooden have each been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

Milwaukee traded long-time Buck Andrew Bogut and locker room distraction Stephen Jackson to the Warriors for shooting guard Monta Ellis and power forward Ekpe Udoh. The trade should allow the Bucks to score at will while offensively keeping pace with their opponents. With the trade Milwaukee’s bench has become even better making them one of the most difficult benches to outscore in the NBA.

The Bucks are currently riding a five game winning streak and have won six of their last seven games with the lone loss coming at the hands of a Derrick Rose buzzer beater. They have also recorded more than 30 assists in the last five games including a NBA season-high 38 assists against the Cavaliers.

The following is what Stein had to say about the Bucks under his comments.

Cannot lie: Bogut-for-Monta doesn’t excite me. Yet I can’t deny that (A) Monta’s presence does give the Bucks some decent leverage for when it’s B-Jennings’ turn to get dealt and (B) Ellis’ career average of 19.2 ppg is second only to John Williamson’s 20.1 ppg among players never to make it to the All-Star Game.

The Bucks are currently one-half game behind the New York Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference but the team is not worried about making a postseason run.