Round 3, Pick 9: Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks

Quick, who was the 9th leading scorer in the NBA last year? If you guessed Michael Redd, I would say that you are part of the minority. Most people would not have guessed that Michael Redd averaged more points (25.4 points/game) than Ray Allen (25.1 points) and Vince Carter (24.2 points/game), a couple of shooting guards that were drafted before Redd in most, if not all, fantasy basketball drafts last season.

Milwaukee is not exactly a media hotbed and Michael Redd’s game matches the city’s calm.  He is like a gunfighter entering a saloon in the Old West where everyone just watches him and they know that he is a shooter… and a darn good one.

Redd does not invade the highlight reels with flashy dunks or blocks. Redd is just a solid shooter that just rains jumpers and puts up points. Since Ray Allen was traded from the Bucks in ’02-’03, Redd has taken the reins as the team’s leading scorer. His scoring average has increased each year from ’02-’03 to ’05-’06 (15.1, 21.7, 23.0, and 25.4). Redd took on the burden of scoring without a consistent wingman last year. The second leading scorer for the Bucks was SF Bobby Simmons with 13.4 points/game… not exactly the cavalry. Despite defenses keying on him, Redd still produced decent percentages, 45% FG, 39.5% 3pt, and 87.7% FT.  Redd drained 2.0 3-pt and averaged 7.1 trips to the line per game.

You may have heard rumblings from other fantasy owners that Redd is too one-dimensional; all he does is score.  However, Redd averaged 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals/game. That doesn’t sound one-dimensional to me. 

Hopefully with the maturation of PF/C Andrew Bogut and the addition of SF/PF Charlie Villanueva, Redd will have the supporting cast that opposing teams will have to adjust and not just hone in on stopping Redd.  You can expect 25+ points, 2+ triples, a slight bump in his assists, and great percentages. Pick Redd on draft day and other owners will be red with envy!

Team Review

Bosh, Pierce, and Redd. This team will have no trouble in scoring. 3-pointers are one of the team’s strength. However, the team will need to beef up on the boards, assists, steals and blocks. Wow, that is a pretty big shopping list!

Other team members

1.9. Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
2.4. Paul Pierce, SG/SF, Boston Celtics