BY GERY WOELFEL

When you’re the best player on a professional sports team, you are inevitably a lightning rod for controversy.

Michael Redd is the Bucks’ best player.

And, yes, he is the target of considerable, oft-times unjustified criticism.

While Redd is unequivocally one of the elite scorers in the NBA, his doubters question his rebounding and passing skills and his commitment to playing defense.

There is even a belief in some quarters that the Bucks would be better served without Redd, that the Bucks would be a more-balanced scoring team, that other players like Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva and Richard Jefferson would get more touches and be more productive.

That belief is simply misguided.

And the record shows it.

Back in January of 2007, the Bucks were playing quality basketball and positioned to be in the playoffs.

But then Redd got hurt. He suffered a strained patellar tendon in his left knee. The injury forced him to miss 20 games. The Bucks lost 17 of them, their playoff hopes shot.

Now fast forward to today. Redd is bothered by a right ankle sprain and has missed the last three games.

The Bucks lost two of them and, as Bucks coach Scott Skiles frankly admitted, they were lucky not to have lost a third game as well.

After practice Monday, a reporter asked Skiles if perhaps Redd’s absence was somewhat of a “positive’’ for the team since it has allowed other players to showcase their talents.

Skiles diplomatically agreed with the opinion, but he just as quickly squelched any theory he would rather have other players on the floor than Redd, an NBA All-Star, an Olympian.

“Let’s face it, we fell way behind Washington and we were able to steal that game and now we lost two in a row,’’ Skiles said. “So, as a team, we need everybody to be healthy.''

And Redd still isn't healthy. He participated in part of Monday's practice at the Cousins Center and he said the ankle was improving. 

Yet, at the same time, Redd revealed he had trouble making cuts on the floor and that the ankle was “tender and sore.''

Redd, who is averaging 21.3 points a game, said he wouldn't play again Tuesday ight when the Bucks take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Skiles added Redd was "doubtful'' for Wednesday's game against San Antonio at the Bradley Center.

After that, who knows? Tony Parker, San Antonio's star guard, has an ankle sprain. He's expected to be sidelined for about four weeks.

Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks star forward, has a high ankle sprain – which is what Redd has. Smith’s likely out for four weeks.

Utah star point guard Deron Williams sprained his left ankle in preseason and has yet to return.

Interestingly, Red hasn't had any tests -- i.e. X-rays or a MRI -- of the ankle. Howver, he told me some sort of test will likely be given soon, probably when the team returns from Cleveland.

Stay tuned.

-- While Redd will be sidelined indefinitely, Skiles said veteran forward Austin Croshere could be making his Bucks’ debut soon, perhaps as soon as Tuesday night.

Croshere, whom the Bucks signed as a free agent three weeks ago after being released by the Indiana Pacers, looked good in practice, according to Skiles.

“I want to get him activated,’’ Skiles said. “We haven’t had much practice time. We wanted him to get more practice under his belt, try figure out some of the things we’re doing.

“But he’s a veteran guy, so it doesn’t take him long. I thought he was good again today. … He may be out there tomorrow night.’’

Asked if he could see the 33-yar-old Croshere getting minutes right off the bat, Skiles said, “It’s possible. He’s still got a live body, he can spread the floor with his shot and he’s a real good driver.’’