I’m trying to see the Bucks as v.2.0 of Skiles’ Bulls teams, but it’s just not quite there. He’s really missing a Ben Wallace/Tyson Chandler interior defensive presence, and the idea that Ridnour and Redd will fall in love with playing defense doesn’t pass the laugh test. Although if Doc Rivers (and Kevin Garnett) can convince Ray Allen to play defense, maybe anything is possible.

Otherwise so many of the other pieces are there: Alexander instead of Nocioni, Jefferson instead of Deng, Bogut instead of Curry, and Skiles’ favorite binkies (Malik Allen and Adrian Griffin) at the end of the bench rotation.

Yeah, I don’t think he has as much to work with here defensively, though he has a bit more offensive firepower. Guys like Redd and Villanueva have years of complacency/bad habits that will be difficult to overcome.

I’d give Bogut a little more credit—while he doesn’t have Curry’s post scoring efficiency, he can contribute in other ways, like on the defensive end and in the rebounding dept. Perhaps not quite in the way that Chandler/Wallace did, though Skiles also didn’t get the best of Big Ben anyway.

Also, I plan to steal the term “Skiles’ favorite binkies” and use it liberally throughout the season. Thanks in advance :)

Individually, yeah, Villanueva/Redd/Ridnour etc. aren’t defensive experts, now or later… My hope is that Skiles can at least cultivate an attitude of embracing team defense concepts.

The Bucks had capable offensive players last year but were a rather bad offensive team because they were dysfunctional. Using that logic, it should be possible for a group of below average defensive players to make for a semi-respectable defensive team if they are… functional. Yes.