I don't get this move. They are not a lock for Redd to resign and hopefully (for the Bucks) this move doesn't alienate him. I liked Terry as their coach, other than last season, they have had pretty decent seasons w/o having a lot of talent. I could see them going after a coach like Flip Saunders or McMillan.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/daywatch.asp Terry Porter out as Bucks coach Terry Porter will not return as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks .... more to come. Here's the text of the team's news release: Terry Porter will not return as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2005-2006 season, General Manager Larry Harris announced today. The club will honor the terms of the final year of Porter's contract. In two seasons with the Bucks, Porter posted a record of 71-93 and coached the Bucks to the playoffs in 2003-2004. "The past six weeks have been consumed by my continued evaluation of our coaching situation and the basketball challenges going into the new season," Harris said. "I have concluded after much thought that we need to go in a new direction with respect to the head coaching position. My job is to make our team the very best it can be and that often means making difficult decisions such as this one." "Obviously, I am disappointed by the decision," said Porter. "However, I am grateful to Senator Kohl and Larry Harris for the opportunity they gave me." In the 2003-2004 season, Porter led the Bucks to a 41-41 (.500) record, including a tie for third place in the Central Division and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. In the 2004-2005 season, Porter wrapped up his second season as head coach with a 30-52 record. "Terry did an admirable job for us," Harris said. "He is well respected within our organization and within the community. We fully expect that he will have other opportunities to coach at the NBA level, and we will support him wherever his career may take him." In 1,274 games as an NBA player, Porter averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.24 steals per game in his career during which his teams compiled a remarkable record of 815-547 (.598) and made the playoffs 16 times. Porter began his NBA career in Portland under Jack Ramsay, after the Trail Blazers selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 1985 Draft. "We will now continue to focus on the June 28th draft while immediately beginning the process to fill our head coaching vacancy," Harris stated.
WOW! shocker! Very odd timing too. Almost makes you wonder if the Bucks have a quality replacement already in line for them to do this at this time. Personally I dont think Porter got enough time there. Too bad.
I guess the Bucks DO have someone in mind..... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2092506 Bucks interested in Saunders, McMillan By Marc Stein ESPN.com The Milwaukee Bucks, having already scored the No. 1 pick in next week's draft, decided Wednesday to thrust themselves into the NBA coaching sweepstakes by firing Terry Porter. The Bucks, according to NBA front-office sources, made the unexpected move in hopes of attracting Flip Saunders or Nate McMillan -- or a similarly experienced coach -- to Milwaukee. Another motivation, sources said, was giving Porter the chance to make a run at the Portland job. The Trail Blazers, who drafted Porter out of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1985, still have an opening. Porter was entering the final season of a three-year contract with the Bucks but with no extension offer on the table. Although they're not alone in chasing Saunders and McMillan -- Detroit has interest in both should Larry Brown leave the Pistons' bench as expected -- Milwaukee's situation could tempt a veteran. Besides the No. 1 pick it surprisingly won in last month's lottery, setting up a choice between Utah's Andrew Bogut and North Carolina's Marvin Williams, Milwaukee is expected to re-sign shooting guard Michael Redd this summer and still have considerable leftover salary-cap room for roster upgrades. The Bucks are also cautiously optimistic that point guard T.J. Ford will be back next season after sitting out the 2004-05 season with a back injury. Bucks general manager Larry Harris announced May 6 that Porter would be retained for the final season of his contract without an extension. Porter assistant coaches Mike Schuler and Jerome Kersey were dismissed. In the six weeks since, sources said, the Bucks grew increasingly apprehensive about bringing Porter back as a lame-duck coach, fearing a repeat of what the Denver Nuggets endured at the start of last season with Jeff Bzdelik. Bzdelik began the season without an extension and facing high expectations after Denver paired Kenyon Martin with Carmelo Anthony, but the Nuggets lurched to a 13-15 start amid constant speculation about Bzdelik's imminent firing. The Bucks were one of the league's surprise teams in Porter's first season, going 41-41 in 2003-04 to earn a playoff berth, with Redd making his first All-Star team. But the Bucks sank to 30-52 under the Milwaukee native last season, generating considerable speculation that Porter would be fired immediately. McMillan is expected to re-sign with Seattle after leading the Sonics to a 50-win season, but Portland -- and the Pistons -- hope to speak with McMillan after his current Sonics contract expires June 30. Saunders, still owed $5.5 million next season by Minnesota, is widely considered a top candidate to replace Brown in Detroit. Saunders has already rebuffed overtures from Portland and his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.
Interesting, especially since published reports (mostly the Oregonian) had said Marc Iavaroni had wrapped the Portland job up. Evan
I think TP would probably be in Minny if they had done this a little bit sooner. I really don't think that this is a good move by Milwaukee.
Good call, didnt think about that. If I remember correctly, Porter was pretty cool with Garnett during his first few years in the league. Btw, he never won a title eh?
It would be nice to get TP back in Portland as head coach. Sure he may not be a great coach (yet) but since he was a great player for Portland and is young in terms of coaching. If I were GM I'd give him a chance.....maybe he can be the next Nate McMilan
