Posted by:
gwoelfel on
March 24, 2008 at
12:04AM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
The Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a new general manager is expected to begin in earnest today.
And while TNT analyst Doug Collins, a former NBA player and coach, and Indiana Pacers president Donnie Walsh are the most prominently mentioned individuals to succeed Larry Harris, there is cadre of current and former GMs and current assistant GMs who could draw interest for the Bucks’ job.
They include:
* John Hammond: As the vice president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons, Hammond has served as Joe Dumars’ right-hand man.
Hammond, a native of Zion, Ill., is in his seventh year with the Pistons and is highly-regarded in NBA circles.
Hammond has been courted by some teams in recent years for their GM position, but decided to remain with the Pistons primarily because of his loyalty to Dumars.
* David Griffin: The senior vice president of basketball operations for the Phoenix Suns could have become the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies last summer.
But Griffin opted to turn down the Grizzlies’ offer and returned to Phoenix, where he is extensively involved in player personnel matters.
* Tony DiLeo: The senior vice president/assistant general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers has seen his reputation steadily grow.
DiLeo has a lofty reputation as a talent evaluator and played a major role in helping the 76ers acquire some of the best young talent in the league, among them being Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams and Rodney Carney.
* Keith Grant: As the Dallas Mavericks’ assistant general manager, Grant has quietly played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the Mavericks’ rise to prominence.
Grant, who has spent 28 years in various capacities for the Mavericks and is currently assisting Mavs president of basketball operations Donn Nelson, is known for his organizational skills and attention to detail.
* John Nash: While currently doing television work in Philadelphia, Nash has a plethora of front office experience.
He has been a general manager for several teams, the most recent being the Portland Trail Blazers from 2003-2006.
Nash also had GM stints in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington. While on the East Coast, Nash established a good rapport with Bucks owner Herb Kohl and the two frequently discussed NBA matters.
* Mark Warkentien: The Denver Nuggets’ vice president of basketball operations has been instrumental in reshaping the Nuggets’ roster.
Warkentien also has a strong understanding of the league, having previously worked for Cleveland and Portland.
* John Gabriel: Now a scout/advisor for the Portland Trail Blazers, Gabriel has considerable front office experience.
In fact, Gabriel was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year award in 2000 when he was the Orlando Magic’s general manager.
While with the Magic, Gabriel helped the team land then free-agents Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady.
* Tommy Sheppard: The Washington Wizards vice president of basketball administration made an impressive presentation to Seattle SuperSonics ownership last summer before being edged out for the general manager’s job by Sam Presti.
Sheppard, regarded as a hard worker with outstanding people skills, has worked closely with Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld on a variety of administrative issues, including salary cap management, contract negotiations and draft matters.
* Rick Sund: After beginning his career with the Bucks in the mid-70s and spending five years in Milwaukee, Sund was hired as the Dallas Mavericks’ director of player personnel.
Sund later worked for the Detroit Pistons under Collins and, in 2001, was hired as the Seattle SuperSonics general manager.
Sund’s biggest move while working in Seattle was trading Gary Payton and Desmond Mason to the Bucks for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray and a future No. 1 draft pick.
Sund was fired in April of 2001 with one year remaining on his contract.
* Dave Babcock: The Bucks’ player personnel director has been appointed the interim general manager and Kohl said Babcock would oversee the Bucks’ draft operations.
As such, Babcock, who is in his 11th season with the Bucks, is expected to remain in the organization and figures to be a legitimate candidate for the GM position.
NOTES:
- Dwayne Wilson, the Bucks’ likeable equipment manager, is recovering after suffering a stroke.
Wilson, who is in his third season with the Bucks, had spent several days in a Milwaukee hospital before being released.
- On the basketball shoes of Bucks forward Desmond Mason are the initials “KPDL’’.
They stand for Kirk Peter Dean Larsen, Mason’s brother-in-law who died in January at the age of 36.
Mason was notified of Kirk’s death and then relayed the news to his wife, Andrea
“It’s been really tough, really hard,’’ Mason said. “Telling my wife that her older brother had died was the toughest thing I have ever had to do.’’
- Sinisa Markovic, Andrew Bogut’s personal coach and close friend, has spent the last several weeks in Milwaukee but plans to return to Australia later this week.
Gery, who cares and not they don't have plenty of options that are interested in the Bucks. Also try using the same font size in your article...geez. This just reads so easy NOTTTT!! At any rate did you see this article http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/breaking_news/278574
Looks like your whipping boy Ted Thompson was voted GM of the year...what a surprise. Have a nice day.
Posted by: Brett Favre on March 25, 2008 2:05PM CST
I already posted that on Gery's wonderful article "Questions remain about Farve's retirement" info, but it's nice to see someone else point it out as well. How can it be that Gery is not right? He tells us he is right all the time, are we not suppose to believe him now? Let's wait and see the spin he puts on this one that all the GM's and exec's are wrong. Maybe it's time you picked yourself up a "Teddy Bear" so you can sleep better at night Gery.
Posted by: brewpackman on March 25, 2008 6:10PM CST
It is truly sad that this post was designed for the Bucks and has drawn more replies for the Packers who haven't played in almost 2 months. Teddy Bear Thompson, Executive of the year? Would you like your crow baked, smoked or deep fried?
Posted by: Dan Miller on March 25, 2008 10:17PM CST
Well, let's see if Teddy Bear wins the award after he all but dumped Favre. Thompson has been dying to start his boy Aaron Rogers. Let's see how well Thompson does in the voting after this next season. Just because Thompson can win an award with Wolf and Sherman's boys doesn't make him great.
Posted by: brewpackman on March 26, 2008 6:37AM CST
12 of the 22 starters are Thompsons guys, it's OK to be wrong though.
Posted by: Brett Favre on March 26, 2008 8:02AM CST
Hey Dan Miller, were Favre and Thompson dating that he could dump him like you said? Come to grips man. Favre is a grown man who made his own decision. This team was one play away from the Super Bowl, they had the youngest roster in football, and have the money now to sign their own players or go after a free agent if they so choose. If Sherman the GM was still around we might have 65 million invested in an aging offensive line.
Posted by: Dan Miller on March 26, 2008 4:10PM CST
Yeah, exactly--half the starters weren't even Thompsons.
yeah, Favre made his own decision, but Thompson didn't do anything to keep him. I don't know what this last guy was talking about. Getting a free agent? Like who? O'dwer? Klemm? We aren't getting anyone.
As far as O-line goes, Thompson has had that mistake on his hands since he took over the posiition. Thompson likes to be 65 million under the cap. That way we can use that money for .... well, nothing.
Posted by: Brett Favre on March 26, 2008 7:55PM CST
I stole this from another site, but just goes to prove my point and many others even further. Also, of the 45 players on the active gameday roster for the NFC Championship game, 32 were acquired by Thompson. 17 via the draft and 15 via free agency, trades or waiver wire. That is pretty impressive considering the short time he has held the GM position in Green Bay. So 71% of this team is Ted's. 1/3 was acquired from trades, free agency, or waiver wire. How can this be? Dan Miller and Gery tells us constantly that Ted doesn't do anything to acquire help. I love the fact that we have additional money to sign our own players to longer deals, i.e. Kampman, Driver, and if need be spend it on a free agent or two. What is the glaring weakness on this team that needs such immediate attention that can't be answered in the draft? They just signed a free agent LB so that is one less need? Please enlighten me Dan on what move has to be made? Finally, Thompson didn't do anything to keep Favre around? What exactly is he suppose to do? I'm sorry but every year it has been the same thing with Brett. We played his game waiting for his decision. His decision finally came to retire, and everyone knew that day would come, and you blame TT for this? You are a funny, funny, man Dan.
Posted by: Dan Miller on March 26, 2008 9:58PM CST
Favre went out on his own terms. Yes. But Thompson could have done more to try to keep him around (see Bus Cook)
Yeah, I'm familiar with your numbers, but the starters stat from earlier is more significant (they see more time on the field). Best offensive players: Favre, Driver, Clifton, Tauscher, Jennings--Defensive: Kampman, KGB, Williams, Harris, Woodsen, Barnett... How many of the best players from last year's team were Thompsons?
Here's what I'm saying, and I think you probably agree: Thompson has yet to define himself as a GM. Wolf took a chance and traded a number one for a QB and hit it big. Sherman had a team near the top and had the correct philosophy--they were a player or two away, so they went for the ring in the present--but couldn't quite pull it off. He did a great job on offense, but overpaid (in hindsight) for defensive linemen.
Thompson has yet to take a big chance. I would say he is GM of the year and could have defined himself already with one move: trading a 4th rounder for Moss. If he would have done it, he would have my vote and a Super Bowl ring. Bottom line, I don't know if Thompson has enough to get the Packers to the Big One. It takes risks. Can he do it? Obviously, he won't sign a big free agent. Trading is rare in the NFL, but maybe he'd do something there (unlikely though, because of his affection for draft picks), he could trade up in the draft (also unlikely b/c of above), or he could get lucky (a la 6th rounder Tom Brady). He's hit (Jennings) and missed (Klemm, O' Dwyer)....
Posted by: Brett Favre on March 27, 2008 8:30AM CST
Wolf took a chance on Favre and hit, but he also had his share of misses. Same thing on draft day. he made some great late picks and some forgettable early picks. Yes, it is a crap shot but didn't Ted pull off a trade last year that got us Ryan Grant for a 6th rounder? Not a bad move there I think you will agree with. You can keep going back to the Moss trade all you want. Bottom line is did that trade help New England win the Super Bowl? Oh, that's right, the team from the nothing fabulous conference won.
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