<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Terry Stotts recently returned from South Africa, where the Milwaukee Bucks coach went on a two-day safari and learned about the dangers of the Big Five: the elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. "Last year our starting lineup was the fifth- or sixth-youngest in the league, and this year the average age will still be younger," Stotts said on Thursday. Shooting guard Michael Redd will be the oldest player in the Bucks' anticipated starting lineup, at 27. Bobby Simmons will be 26, Mo Williams 23, Charlie Villanueva 22 and Andrew Bogut 21 on opening night on Nov. 1 in Detroit. Stotts will be starting his second season as head coach, after leading the Bucks into the Eastern Conference playoffs last spring with a 40-42 record. "I certainly have more comfort level for the guys coming back," Stotts said. "When I came in last year, Michael was the only guy I knew. "And I'm excited about the changes we made in the roster. We're more athletic on the front line and very versatile. You go down the line, and we have a lot of multi-position guys. And having a versatile 4 man (power forward) will really open up the floor and make it easier for everybody." The 6-foot-11 Villanueva was the Bucks' key off-season acquisition, coming in a late June trade that sent point guard T.J. Ford to the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks also picked up forward Ruben Patterson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Joe Smith; and they acquired forward Brian Skinner and point guard Steve Blake in a deal that sent center Jamaal Magloire to the Portland Trail Blazers. "Defensively we were challenged last year," Stotts said. "We're hopeful our athletic front line will help us in that area." The 6-5 Patterson should contribute at both the small forward and power forward spots, Stotts said, and the ninth-year pro will be able to defend athletic power forwards. Bogut moves full-time to the center position after playing primarily at power forward as a rookie. "His talents offensively will be enhanced playing at center," Stotts said. Stotts also believes the 7-foot Bogut will be able to make the defensive adjustments necessary. "Outside of Shaquille (O'Neal) and maybe Yao (Ming), there aren't those huge guys when you look through the teams," Stotts said. "There's not anybody that Andrew can't match up favorably with, and he has the talent to be able to do it." The Bucks' bench lost some experience with the departures of Toni Kukoc, Smith and Ervin Johnson. Kukoc has said he plans to retire from the NBA after a distinguished 13-year career, including the last four years with the Bucks. Blake, Skinner, Dan Gadzuric, Charlie Bell and Patterson are expected to play key reserve roles. Among those in bench roles will be second-year player Ersan Ilyasova, rookie Damir Markota, 2006 second-round pick David Noel and point guard Lynn Greer. None have played in an NBA game.</div> Source
