12/12/11 - 02:03pm
Luc Sticks With Bucks by Devon Jeffreys

Since drafting Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, the Milwaukee Bucks have been among the best in basketball on defense. By re-signing Luc on Saturday, Milwaukee ensured that would remain the case.

With Luc Richard and Andrew Bogut (right) locked up long term, the Bucks remain a defensive stalwart (Getty Images).

The Bucks matched a four-year offer sheet from the Denver Nuggets to retain the restricted free agent forward, locking him up through the 2014-2015 season.

"I'm back in Milwaukee," Luc told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I'm still going to be playing as hard as I can when I get out there. I'm in a situation where I quadrupled my salary, and anybody in that situation should be happy… It's a blessing to be in this position."

The Bucks extended a one-year qualifying offer to Luc Richard at the outset of the offseason, but No. 12 was seeking a long-term deal. When the Nuggets offered four years, Luc signed the offer sheet, giving Milwaukee three days to match. They waited less than 24 hours to do so, showing just how much they wanted to keep the Prince around.

"Coach Skiles told me he wanted me back," Mbah a Moute said. "They stayed true to their words."

Skiles has praised Luc in the past as the best on-ball defender the Bucks have. Another head coach told NBA.com's David Aldridge that Luc is one of the top five at his position in the game because of his ability to guard forwards, guards and even some centers. Steve Van Horn of Bucks blog Brew Hoop believes that Luc is on pace to become a candidate for the NBA's All Defensive Team in the near future.

"Mbah a Moute is widely known around the NBA as a skilled defensive specialist, excelling as a matchup defender on the perimeter to accentuate his excellent foot speed and defensive anticipation. Although he has yet to be named to an NBA All-Defensive team, there is a very real possibility he could reach that honor within the course of the next four seasons."

Bucks center Andrew Bogut, also widely considered one of the league's best defenders at his position, is happy to have Luc by his side. And with Bogut entering just the third year of a five-year contract, the Bucks have two of the NBA's top lockdown defenders locked up for a long time to come.

"I love playing with Luc," Bogut said. "Most importantly, he's on their best player every game. I read last night online he's the best on ball defender, not just me saying it, but statistically someone did a stat and he's the best on ball defender in the league."

NEXT UP

The Bucks will hold a free open practice for fans on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center at 6 p.m. CST

Then on Saturday, the Bucks tip their preseason in Minnesota against the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. CST. The T-Wolves complete the home and home a few nights later when they visit the Bradley Center on Wednesday, December 21st at 7 p.m. CST.

Milwaukee opens the regular season on Monday, December 26th in Charlotte against the Bobcats at 6 CST. The game can be seen on FSN Wisconsin.