After worst season in franchise history, Bucks players excited for new owners

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As soon as the Bucks' new owners are approved by the NBA's Board of Governors, the Bucks will have a new look at the top. Given this year's forgettable season, there figures to be a facelift throughout the organization.
"We should be shouting from the rooftops -- because this is a game-changer!" Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said at a news conference announcing the sale of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The sale of the Bucks by Senator Herb Kohl to investors Wes Eden and Marc Lasry, along with the announcement that the former owner and the new ones will each give $100 million to the building of a new arena raised the spirits of many.

It may have even done the same for the fellows who represented the franchise on the floor on Wednesday night.

For awhile, in their season-finale, the Bucks led Atlanta by as many as 18 points -- but in typical fashion, they sputtered in the second half and came out on the short end.

"You know, when you go through a season like this, I think mentally, it becomes very draining," Bucks Head Coach Larry Drew said.

Wednesday night's loss inside the BMO Harris Bradley Center ended the worst season in franchise history.

The Bucks closed out the campaign by dropping 17 of their final 19 games, to finish with a record of 15 wins against 67 loses.

"You know, I always say I think this is a humbling experience for me, for everybody on this team," John Henson said.

Injuries decimated the Bucks. They were a shell of themselves from Day One.

"We were never a healthy ballclub. What we envisioned on how to use guys -- it never happened," Drew said.

"You have that many guys missing from your rotation, and you're putting in a lot of guys that otherwise wouldn't be playing -- it's not gonna be an easy season,"

While news of the sale may have impacted players during Wednesday night's game, the players said the right things about the transition.

"They wouldn't invest that much money if they didn't have a positive attitude,"

"They want to come in and win right away, and as players, you know, that's great to hear,"

But many of them say they'll always appreciate the commitment of Senator Kohl.

"Man, he gave me the chance to be a part of this organization. I'm sure he had to approve drafting me, so it's always near and dear to my heart,"

"He did a lot of great things for a lot of players -- a lot of coaches -- a lot of fans, and he made history in Milwaukee,"

The futures of Drew and General Manager John Hammond would appear to be in limbo.

Drew says he gets it. That's life in the NBA.

"New owners come in. They have their ideas as far as what they want to do. I don't think it would do me any good to concern myself with things that I can't control," Drew said.

As soon as the NBA Board of Governors approves the sale, which is expected to be a formality, the new owners will be off and running on a fast break to make the Bucks viable again.

"I think one of the things, hopefully, you'll see -- we have a strong desire -- I think at times an insane desire to succeed,"

The Bucks have the best chance of getting the first round overall pick in this June's NBA Draft. That might be the first step in making the team relevant again from a competitive standpoint.