ORLANDO, Fla. – There have been some former Milwaukee Bucks’ head coaches who have had little, if any, interest in the NBA draft.
They believed that their job was to coach and that it was up to the player personnel people to bring in the necessary talent.
New Bucks coach Scott Skiles doesn’t adhere to that philosophy. Skiles said he’s been actively involved in the draft process and has studied film of several potential draft prospects.
Not that Skiles really had to go to the movies.
“I watch college basketball games all the time,’’ Skiles said. “So I know these guys.’’
The Bucks have the eighth overall pick and Skiles acknowledged there were some prospects who have intrigued him, although he wasn’t about to publicly divulge them.
But while Skiles may want a certain player, he realizes he might not get him – unless Bucks general manager John Hammond is in agreement.
“I understand the hierarchy of management,’’ Skiles said. “We’ll roll up our sleeves and work together on this. But when push comes to shove, John will pull the trigger.’’
Nitty-gritty time
The Bucks are expected to start working out potential draft picks late next week.
While Bucks officials have been coy about whom they’ll work out at their training facility in St. Francis, it’s generally assumed forwards Anthony Randolph of LouisianaState and Kevin Love of UCLA and guards Eric Gordon of Indiana and Russell Westbrook of UCLA will be among them.
There have been some whispers the Bucks are keenly interested in the highly-skilled and highly-motivated Love – even though they already have two talented young power forwards on their roster in Yi Jianlian and Charlie Villanueva.
The Bucks are apparently enamored with Love’s mental and physical toughness.
Climbing the charts
Two players whose stock is seemingly on the rise are Italian forward Danilo Gallinari and Westbrook.
While it’s been generally assumed that Seattle, with the fourth overall pick, will take combo guard Jerryd Bayless of Arizona, there are some NBA officials who claim the Sonics will instead opt for Westbrook.
As for Gallinari, it’s no secret the Knicks, who have the sixth pick, have him on their short list.
But the offensively-gifted Gallinari might not be on the board when the Knicks draft because Memphis, which has the fifth pick, is also enamored with him.
If Memphis took Gallinari, there is speculation the Knicks would then take Gordon.
Who’s No. 3?
So, which player will be drafted after point guard Derrick Rose of Memphis and power forward Michael Beasley of KansasState?
According to several NBA officials, the Minnesota Timberwolves covet Stanford center Brook Lopez. One problem: some NBA insiders claim Lopez is balking at working out for the T-Wolves.
Mixed results
Wisconsin power forward Brian Butch had an inconsistent showing in his first game Wednesday at the Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
Butch scored 10 points, but shot only 4-of-11 from the field. He was just 1-for-5 on 3-point attempts. However, Butch did grab six rebounds.
Butch’s teammate, Mike Taylor, turned in one of the best performances of the day.
Taylor, a former Milwaukee MarshallHigh School standout who played for the Idaho Stampedes in the D-League this season, totaled 17 points, hitting 6-of-10 shots. Taylor did have five turnovers, though, and just one assist.
Bonus shots
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told me that ex-Bucks coach Terry Stotts will be one of his assistant coaches, although an official announcement has yet to be made. … Ex-Bucks assistant coach Brian James is coaching one of the six teams at the pre-draft camp. … The only active NBA player seen at the pre-draft camp was Calvin Booth, who had a cup of coffee with the Bucks and now is on the 76ers roster. Booth is a true basketball junkie and seemingly knows the pros and cons of every player in the draft. … “Let’s Make a Deal’’: How about the Clippers, who need a point guard, trade Corey Maggette to the Raptors, who need a small forward, for T.J. Ford?
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