It didn’t make Wilt Chamberlain turn in his grave, nor did it force Kobe Bryant to lose any sleep, but Michael Redd’s 57-point performance in a losing effort to the Utah Jazz on Nov. 11 caught the attention of the NBA world.

Redd set the Milwaukee Bucks’ record for most points in a game, eclipsing the previous mark of 55 held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Unfortunately, a last-second three-point attempt hit the back of the rim, keeping Redd from 60 and the Bucks from the win.

Despite the loss, Redd was in MVP form, and his play so far this season has been nothing short of exceptional. Through the first eight games of the year, Redd leads the league with an impressive 32.1 points per game, roughly seven points higher than his average last year. In fact, his scoring average has increased every year since he was drafted by Milwaukee in 2000.

While it may have taken a team record to get the league’s attention, it should be a long time before the typically underrated lefty goes unnoticed again. The one-time all-star and two-time all-star snub is carrying a Bucks team still missing starting small forward Bobby Simmons to injury.

Before the season, Redd said that he wouldn’t mind scoring less if it meant winning more — an unselfish thought but a ridiculous one nonetheless. The Bucks have needed their start shooting guard to step up and win games for them, and he’s done an admirable job of that on a team devoid of chemistry at this point.

While Redd’s individual success has not translated into as many wins as one would hope thus far, there’s reason to believe the Bucks can turn around what has been a sluggish start to a promising season.

Charlie Villanueva has been shouldering some of the load, while Andrew Bogut continues to improve and become more aggressive near the basket. Guys like Mo Williams, Ruben Patterson and Charlie Bell are all capable of having big nights as well thanks to double teams and other defensive schemes designed to stop Redd (or at least try).

Following a four-game losing streak which included the loss to the Jazz, the Bucks look like they’re getting back on their feet. In Redd’s first game as the team’s single game scoring champ, he led a rally in the fourth quarter to defeat the upstart Hawks, finishing with 30 points.

With a little more help from his teammates, it won’t be long before Redd passes his own scoring record. And if they stay healthy, it won’t be long before the Bucks start passing teams in the Eastern Conference Standings.

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