The Bucks' reclamation project is well under way.
The Bucks, who'll be in the draft lottery for the second straight season, have already fired general manager Larry Harris and replaced him with John Hammond, the former Pistons' vice president of basketball operations. Hammond was given a five-year contract, so he'll have plenty of time to clean up the mess. Hammond's first major decision was to fire coach Larry Krystkowiak and hire Scott Skiles as his replacement. Skiles was given a guaranteed four-year contract, so he'll have time to get it right.
It's almost a certainty Hammond will make several significant personnel moves this summer. Hammond said he considers point guard to be the most important position on a team and, as such, will undoubtedly try to obtain a blue-chip one via the draft, trade or free agency.
The Bucks will also be looking to add a small forward, even though they have two veterans manning the position in Desmond Mason and Bobby Simmons. Neither of the aforementioned players played up to their potential this season.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Not many expected rookie point guard Ramon Sessions to play much this season, much less set a franchise single-game assist record. But Sessions, an unheralded second-round pick, recorded 24 assists against the Bulls on April 14. Sessions eclipsed a record that had stood since Oct. 31, 1968. That's when Guy Rodgers had 21 assists in the sixth game of the franchise's history. Sessions' 24 assists were also the most recorded in the NBA this season, surpassing Chris Paul's 21.
TURNING POINT: Heading into March, the Bucks were still in the hunt for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Bucks had won three of their previous four games and seemed poised for a playoff run. Instead, they lost to the Nets 120-106 and proceeded to lose nine of their next 10 games and 12 of their next 14.
