BY GERY WOELFEL

There is an assumption the starting power forward position for the Milwaukee Bucks is a two-man race.

It is believed Charlie Villanueva, the incumbent starter, hasa slight edge over Yi Jianlian, the team’s ballyhooed rookie.

But that assumption, according to Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak, isn’t accurate. Krystkowiak said there is another player in the hunt for the starting power forward spot and that’s Dan Gadzuric.

Gadzuric has been used primarily as a backup center the last couple of seasons, but Krystkowiak is confident the fifth-year pro is fully capable of handling the power forward assignment.

Krystkowiak said he has liked how the 6-foot-11, 245-pound Gadzuric plays alongside center Andrew Bogut. Krystkowiak used Gadzuric-Bogut combination in an intra-squad scrimmage at the Bradley Center and then again in an exhibition game last week against the Chicago Bulls at La Crosse.

“Danny is involved in that,’’ Krystkowiak said of the starting forward spot. “Some nights, he could be the one who starts. It’ll depend on match-ups.

“But there will be some games where they (the opponent) will start two big guys and we might match them with Danny and Andrew.’’

Gadzuric would certainly give the Bucks a defensive element in the paint. While Villanueva and Yi possess excellent offensive skills, neither is regarded as a top-notch defender.

Furthermore, neither Villaneuva nor Yi are overly physical – as evidenced again in the Bucks’ preseason game against Denver Tuesday night in Green Bay, where Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin pretty did what he wanted against them.

Krystkowiak acknowledged Gadzuric’s ability to guard, block shots and rebound would be beneficial, especially considering how the Bucks struggled mightily as a defensive team last season.

But Krystowiak said there was another reason why he considers Gadzuric a legitimate starting power forward prospect.

“He’s a high-energy player,’’ Krystkowiak said. “I don’t think anybody can question that. You’d like to have a player like that to start the game.

“Danny is a very lively guy.’’

ROOKIES GET A WORKOUT: When the Bucks flew back from their exhibition game against the Utah Jazz last week in Salt Lake City, their two rookies – Ramon Sessions and Yi -- got a chance to show off their vocal skills.

Yi and Sessions were asked, er told, to sing “Happy Birthday’’ to veteran Desmond Mason, who turned 30 on Oct. 11.

But that singing session was a piece of cake for Yi and Sessions in comparison to what they were asked, er told, to do after last Tuesday’s shoot-around for the Denver game.

That’s when Yi and Sessions had to retrieve basketballs kicked into the stands at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

“They got us,’’ said a smiling Sessions. “Mike Redd got it going. He kicked a couple of balls pretty far. He’s got a good foot. He should do it (punt) on Sundays (in the NFL).’’

After Redd “strategically’’ kicked a couple of basketballs, several other veterans followed his lead. As Yi and Sessions raced after the balls, including one that went through a door in the facility, the veterans gleefully rejoiced.

When asked about the extra running he and Sessions had to put in, Yi laughed and said, “I had heard it was coming. I know they do this to rookies in the NBA, so it was OK. I didn’t mind.’’

Krystkowiak, who had played nine seasons in the NBA and is now in his second season as an NBA coach, had seen a lot of pranks pulled on rookies but this one was something new to him.

“I had never seen that before,’’ said Krystkowiak, who paused and quipped, “We got a lot more out of our rookies than that.’’

Ruffin’s contract unique

The three players on the Bucks’ roster bubble are forward Michael Ruffin and guards Royal Ivey and Sessions.

While most teams usually don’t make their final cuts until the last minute – this year rosters must be submitted to the NBA on Oct. 29 – the Bucks will have to make a decision on Ruffin before that date.

In addition to securing a partially-guaranteed contract of $770,000 for his client, Andy Miller, Ruffin’s agent, had a clause inserted into the contract that states the Bucks must determine by Oct. 26 whether to keep him or release him.

If Ruffin is released at that time, it would perhaps give him some time to latch on with another team.

Considering the Bucks are well under the NBA’s luxury tax – by approximately $5 million -- it would be surprising to see them waive anyone now, especially since Ruffin, Sessions ($427,000) and Ivey ($790,000) have rather smallish contracts.