Appointment Viewing: The Curse of Monta Ellis?

The Hawks are currently playing the Bucks, as Milwaukee's season hangs by a rubber-band strand.

Prospects were looking up for Milwaukee, but then they had to go and add coveted players in exchange for a guy who is out for the season.

Enter Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh.

In theory, this move should have jet-propelled the Bucks into the playoffs. After all, this trade was something for nothing. 

Since the deal, the Bucks have won three out of six, but lost crucial games to Boston and New York.

Their three victories also came against a slew of tankable opponents (GSW, Portland, Charlotte). Over the six game stretch, Ellis has looked balky alongside Brandon Jennings, shooting 34 percent from the field.

The lineup appears like a more unworkable version of GSW's Curry-Ellis backcourt, only if Stephen Curry couldn't shoot (Jennings is 37 percent from the field over these last six games). 

Perhaps Skiles can work some magic, and cobble together a playoff run out of Golden State's old problem.

But for now, it looks like added value might be subtraction by addition.