BY GERY WOELFEL
Larry Harris’ almost two-decade affiliation with the Milwaukee Bucks came to an end Wednesday.
The Bucks announced Harris, who had served as the team’s general manager for the last five seasons, had been relieved of his duties.
During his tenure as general manager, the Bucks made the playoffs twice: 2003-004 and 2005-06.
The Bucks are likely to wind up in the Draft Lottery again this summer, marking the third time in the last four years that has occurred.
Neither Harris nor Kohl was available for comment early Wednesday afternoon.
The decision also comes on the heels of the Bucks’ embarrassing defeat to the Miami Heat Tuesday night at the Bradley Center. The Heat are the worst team in the NBA.
Harris’ status with the team has been shaky, however, since the end of last season.
That’s when Kohl said this season “would be a very important one for Larry Harris.’’
Harris, 44, joined the Bucks as a scout-video coordinator in 1987. He then gradually worked his way up the organizational ranks, serving as director of player personnel and then director of scouting before being hired as Ernie Grunfeld’s replacement as the team’ GM in 2003.
There has been speculation the Bucks’ brass has been checking out potential replacements for Harris for several months.
Former Bucks coach and current television analyst Doug Collins has been rumored as a possibility to replace Harris.
The New Daily News also reported Tuesday that the Bucks have been courting Donnie Walsh, the highly-respected president of the Indiana Pacers.
There is a strong possibility the 67-year-old Walsh won't return to the Pacers after the season
However, I contacted Walsh Wednesday and he denied any involvement with the Bucks.
“That’s not true,’’ Walsh said of the Daily News report linking him to the Bucks. “I haven’t talked to Milwaukee.’’
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