The 2003-04 NBA season was the Bucks' 36th season in the NBA.[1] During the offseason, the Bucks acquired Joe Smith from the Minnesota Timberwolves. This season saw the Bucks draft T.J. Ford with the 8th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. Ford enjoyed a solid rookie season, but was plagued by injuries and missed most of the season. At midseason, they traded Tim Thomas to the New York Knicks for Keith Van Horn. Under new head coach Terry Porter, the young Bucks managed to play well as Michael Redd had a break out season averaging 21.7 points per game. The Bucks made the playoffs despite finishing fourth in the Central Division with a 41–41 record. However, they did not make it out of the first round once again, losing to the eventual champions, the Detroit Pistons, in five games.