John Hammond. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

John Hammond. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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2008 NBA Draft: Our Experts Predict

By Jay Sorgi

Milwaukee Bucks' World's Largest Draft Party
Live coverage from Summerfest on Sports Central with Bill Michaels at 6:00 p.m. on Newsradio 620 WTMJ

So who's the best option for Milwaukee Bucks GM John Hammond to select? 

Will they strike it rich with a money pick like Ray Allen or Michael Redd?

Or will it turn out to be the ultimate dud?  (Read: Robert "Tractor" Traylor, who a certain expert below said would have a rear end that would become a weapon in the NBA...and turned into a stink bomb for Milwaukee.)

Five of Newsradio 620 WTMJ's sports gurus give their thoughts.

Read more of the story below this series of links.

NBA Draft Coverage:
2008 NBA Draft: Our Experts Predict
Bucks Personnel Man Tips Hand Toward Alexander
Recent Bucks' 1st Rounders
Marquette's Big Three Happy To Skip Draft for BBQ

Summerfest Coverage:
Big Gig "Ready To Go"
Dan O'Donnell's Music Preview: Day 1
Don't Leave Valuables Visible at Park-and-Rides
Milwaukee Bucks' "World's Largest Draft Party" at Summerfest

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The Basics:
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Today through Sunday, July 6, 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
How much? 
Weekdays before 4:00 p.m.: $8
Weekdays after 4:00 p.m. and weekends: $15
Seniors 60+ and children under 10: $3
Children two and younger: free
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Getting there:
MCTS Flyers and Shuttles

Our Expert Position of need Who Should the Bucks pick (if available?) If he's gone, then who? Trade the pick?  And what for?
 
Jeff Falconio
Wisconsin Sports Weekend
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Small forward Why not West Virginia's Joe Alexander?  Aside from being a great need pick he could very well be the best available player. UCLA's Russell Westbrook or Indiana's Eric Gordon.  You need good guard play to succeed in the NBA, eithoer one would upgrade the backcourt. Way too hard to say, after the first two picks it's a wide open draft and any number of players the Bucks are eyeing up could be available.

Dennis Krause
Bucks Radio Network
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Assuming the Bucks make roster moves before training camp, I think the Bucks need to upgrade at small forward and point guard. If UCLA guard Russell Westbrook is there, I would take him. Big guard who can defend the perimeter. He will likely be gone. If Westbrook is gone, I would take West Virginia forward Joe Alexander. He’s got an “edge” to him from playing for Bob Huggins and he wants to play here. LSU’s Anthony Randolph has nice potential but is pretty raw and you’d have to wait on him. I would hold onto the pick because you can shape the attitudes of young guys to fit the new culture of the Hammond-Skiles regime. Obviously if a great deal comes along, you have to consider it.

Greg Matzek

Wisconsin Sports Weekend
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It really depends on who they want to move, but taking the current roster into consideration, I would say the best thing to do is find a tough and versatile 3 man. I really like the defense of Russell Westbrook...picking him means that Mo and/or Charlie Bell are being shopped. I think they end up taking Joe Alexander however.  He won't excite you, but he's as tough as European steak and at 6'8", he can really defend the 3 spot. Donte Green (athletic 3 man from Syracuse), Brandon Rush (long, athletic, lockdown defener from Kansas). I really think the Bucks should trade down.  Package a player and the 8th pick to move down a few spots to nab Brandon Rush and maybe a veteran. I really like what Rush can do on the court when he stays motivated...he should have been the best player in college basketball the last 2 years.

Jay Sorgi
Wisconsin's Morning News/620wtmj.com
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Ask Mo Williams' agent.  If they want out of Milwaukee, the Bucks will need a point guard to give Ramon Sessions and Charlie Bell competition and provide depth.  If Mo wants to stick around, go small forward. If no mo' Mo: Indiana's Eric Gordon.  The guy proved to be a leader in his one year as a Hoosier, and he's got familiarity with assistant coach Kelvin Sampson.
If there's mo' Mo: West Virginia's Joe Alexander (and not just because I'm married to a Mountaineer).  The guy's a gutfighter, and Milwaukee will fall in love with his effort and hustle.
Russell Westbrook would be spectacular - good luck getting him with the eight pick. The glut of small forwards on this squad aren't great trade bait, so they can't move up.  Moving down?  Possibility, if they can get Alexander at a lower spot.

Todd "The Llama" Welter
Sports Central and "The Llama Laments"
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Every position that Andrew Bogut does not play.  They need some guys that can fit into the team, play a role, and maybe grow into something more. David Stern should say, "with the 8th pick in the draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select Joe Alexander, forward, West Virgina University." Indiana guard Eric Gordon, Texas guard D.J. Augustin, Stanford center (and Marquette killer) Brook Lopez The Bucks really need to trade the pick to make a splash in Milwaukee and gets fans interested again.  There are rumors out there that could Bucks trade up with the T-Wolves.  That means O.J. Mayo.  He has baggage but the Bucks have not won anything with nice guy Redd so maybe a guy with attitude is what this team needs.
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