The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

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 11^th 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.