The Milwaukee Bucks departed Monday afternoon for a four-game trip that will include a stop in Memphis tonight for a contest against the Grizzlies before they journey into the Texas Triangle.

The Bucks will play the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the Houston Rockets on Saturday and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

"We have two choices," said Bucks coach George Karl. "We can either survive or we can establish ourselves. Either one is acceptable, but I would rather that we establish ourselves."

Karl's definition of surviving follows the general rule of thumb for success in the league: Win your home games and about half the road games. The Bucks packed a 13-7 record into their suitcases and Karl concedes that if his team continues to win at the present pace, it would probably be good enough to win the Central Division for a second straight season.

On the other hand, this has the potential to be a statement trip for the Bucks should they fare extremely well.

Of course, Karl said the same thing before the Bucks embarked on an earlier four-game Western trip and the Bucks proceeded to lose every one of those games.

Which is why he refuses to classify his team as one of elite in the league. At least not at this point of the season.