The 2008–09 Milwaukee Bucks season is the 41st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Key dates June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City. July 1: The free agency period started. October 6: The pre-season started with a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. October 28: The regular season started with a game against the Chicago Bulls. Offseason On Monday April 21, 2008, the Bucks introduced Scott Skiles as their new coach. Skiles becomes the 11th head coach in the history of the franchise. Skiles was a former coach with the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns coach. He agreed to a four-year deal to replace his close friend, Larry Krystkowiak. Skiles stated that he is not backing away from his reputation for demanding a lot from his players. Skiles, 44, has amassed an overall record of 281-251 (.528) as an NBA head coach. He was hired as head coach of the Bulls on November 28, 2003, and inherited a team with a record of 4 wins and 12 losses. While in Chicago, Skiles led the Bulls to three postseason appearances. The Bulls won 49 games in 2006–07, their most since they went 62-20 in ’97-98. In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the defending NBA champion Miami Heat 4-0 in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs. Draft picks Roster Pre-season |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 || October 6 || Minnesota Timberwolves || 117–79 || C. Villanueva (14) || F. Elson (8) || R. Sessions (6) || 9,873 || 0-1 recap |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 || October 8 || @Detroit Pistons || 71–85 || C. Villanueva (20) || A. Bogut (8) || R. Sessions (10) || 13,704 || 0-2 recap |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 || October 10 || Dallas Mavericks || 105–79 || R. Sessions (11) || D. Gadzuric (10) || L. Ridnour (6) || (La Crosse, Wisconsin)4,289 || 0-3 recap |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 || October 11 || Detroit Pistons || 111–99 || C. Villanueva (26) || C. Villanueva (8) || M. Redd (8) || 11,122 || 0-4 recap |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 5 || October 15 || Golden State Warriors || 94–98 || A. Bogut (18) || A. Bogut (12) || L. Ridnour (12) || (Guangzhou, China)13,225 || 1-4 recap |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 || October 17 || @Golden State Warriors || 108–109 || C. Villanueva (26)