What to do with Andrew Bogut

This morning, the Bucks announced that Andrew Bogut would miss at least the next week because of a rib-cage injury suffered Saturday night against the Bulls -- another in a long line of nagging injuries that have plagued the talented center this season.

All of this, mind you, comes on top of a gimpy elbow that still hasn't fully recovered from a gruesome and freak injury suffered last April. Bogut has said many times this year that he's not at full strength and will undergo arthroscopic surgery after the season to clean things up.

As I mentioned yesterday in an article on Larry Sanders, Bogut's scoring and rebounding numbers are consistent with his career averages. His minutes are slightly higher and his block numbers are up. But his shooting percentages -- especially at the free-throw line -- are way down, proving that he is not at 100 percent.

The question, then, begs to be asked: is it better for Bogut's long-term success to shut it down for the year and undergo the surgery now?

Head coach Scott Skiles doesn't have many options -- especially with Ersan Ilyasova out while he recovers from a concussion. Sanders could see extended minutes (he will start tonight when the Bucks host Detroit) and Jon Brockman has proved to be effective at times, but playing a 6-foot-7 center is less-than-ideal. The team signed seven-footer Earl Barron to a 10-day contract to provide some depth.

Officially, the Bucks aren't out of the race but at 22-36 and four games behind Indiana in the loss column for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot -- then adding in the team's disappointing performance this season -- you have to wonder if elimination is inevitable.

Few players work harder and take more pride in playing for this team, in this city than Bogut. He has been a candid, outspoken and honest critic when it comes to the Bucks' and his own personal poor play this season. Yes, the guy has dealt with a rash of injuries during his career, but you can't accuse Bogut of being lazy, out of shape or not giving total effort.

Though General Manager John Hammond signed a few long-term deals during the off-season, the Bucks are still built around the core of point guard Brandon Jennings and Bogut. Time is running out on the Bucks' chances this season and their best chances of moving forward in the long run are having a healthy and effective Andrew Bogut anchoring the lane.

It might be time to call it a season.