By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Published Mar 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM

As the Bucks head through the final quarter of the NBA season, they remain in the chase for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Tensions are rising and it's natural that the team might tighten up a bit especially considering everything, including injuries to three starters, that the team has battled thorough this season.

One of the ways the Bucks maintain focus is music. So, what's on the iPods playlists of the 2009 Bucks? We asked the players for their favorite tune and a short reason why.

Here is an exclusive peek into the music of the driving towards the NBA playoffs Milwaukee Bucks.

Joe Alexander

"Handcuffs" by Elemental Zazen
iTunes link

"Simply, I like it because it's good music."

Malik Allen

"American Dreamin" by Jay Z
video link

"I think the message of the song is pretty cool. What he's talking about doesn't necessarily parallel what I do, but I can substitute basketball for what he's talking about in the song. I just think it's a good song. Not too many people can put a Marvin Gaye hook in a song and be respected, but he managed to do it. I think that's why it's my favorite song."

Charlie Bell

"I'm Bad" by LL Cool J
iTunes link

"He's probably my favorite rapper of all time. I got a chance to meet him at the All-Star Game in Las Vegas. He's an idol to me. His record was one of the first my parents bought for me when I was little. Every time I hear it, I get hyped up. It never gets old."

Andrew Bogut

Milo Hrnić -- anything by him
video link

"His songs are from the heart. They touch with me a little bit. It's a different culture, it touches my culture."

Francisco Elson

Lil Wayne
iTunes link

"Currently, I'm listening to Lil Wayne."

Dan Gadzuric

"De Vlieger" (The Kite) by André Hazes
video link

"It's about a little boy that tries to send a message. He writes a message on a piece of paper and ties it on a kite. He asks he dad to go to the beach so he can fly his kite and he wants to fly his kite to his mom who is in heaven. It's a Dutch song."

Richard Jefferson

"You know I really don't listen to music that much. I listen to talk radio."

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

"Mr. Carter" by Lil Wayne (with Jay Z)
iTunes link
"I picked it because those are two of the best rappers alive right now."

Michael Redd

"Prodigal Son" by Tye Tribbett and G.A.
iTunes link

Luke Ridnour

Jeremy Camp -- anything by him
iTunes link

"Right now I like listening to anything by Jeremy Camp."

Ramon Sessions

"Live Your Life" by T.I. (w/Rihanna)
iTunes link

"I picked that song because if you listen to the words, it talks about living your life no matter how good or how bad it is. Just live your life regardless."

Charlie Villanueva

"Victory" by Puff Daddy and the Family (w/Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes)
iTunes link

"Ever since that song came out, it's always gotten me hyped, pumped up and ready to go."

Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.

He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.

Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.  

He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.

He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.