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06/10: Bucks will take closer look at Coby Karl
Category: General Posted by: Gery
BY GERY WOELFEL
ORLANDO, Fla. – There are few teams that have consistently unearthed
second-round gems in the NBA draft than the Milwaukee Bucks.
Among the Bucks’ second-round picks in recent years are center Dan Gadzuric,
guard Ronald “Flip’’ Murray, guard Jason Hart and last but certainly not
least Michael Redd. The Bucks may also have another second-round steal on
their hands in Ersan Ilyasova, whom they selected last year. Ilyasova, who
just turned 19, played for Tulsa in the D-League last season and made such
significant strides in his game that he is a lock to make the Bucks’ roster
next season.
Of course, the Bucks are hoping to secure another quality second-round pick
in this year’s draft, which will be held June 28. Without a first-round pick
- the Bucks forfeited it to New Orleans/Oklahoma City in the trade for Jamaal
Magloire – the Bucks have already worked out several prospects and intend to
work out almost a dozen more.
Among the draft prospects who are expected to travel to the Bucks’ training
facility in St. Francis before the draft are 6-8 forward Marco Killingsworth
of Indiana, 6-8 forward Taj Gray of Oklahoma, 6-6 swingman David Noel of
North Carolina, Victor Keyru, a 6-6 guard from St. Petersburg, Russia, 6-5
guard Vincent Grier of Minnesota, 6-4 guard Cameron Bennerman of North
Carolina State, 6-8 power forward J.P. Batista of Gonzaga and 6-10 power
forward Yemi Nicholson of Denver.
Perhaps the most intriguing player the Bucks will take a closer look at,
though, is Coby Karl, a 6-5 combo guard from Boise State who is the son of
former Bucks and current Denver Nuggets coach George Karl.
Coby Karl raised some eyebrows at the pre-draft camp with his sound
decision-making, deft passing and accurate perimeter shooting. In a game
Friday, Karl connected on 5-of-6 field-goal attempts, including 3-for-3 from
3-point range, en route to a team-leading 15 point performance. Karl also had
five assists and five rebounds.
Magloire trade talk intensify
While the temperatures in Central Florida hovered in the mid-90s, trade talks
involving Bucks center Jamaal Magloire heated up some more. Bucks general
manager Larry Harris was spotted talking to several NBA officials. I was told
by members of 10 different teams that they had, to varying degrees, interest
in acquiring the veteran center.
“There was quite a bit of dialogue,’’ Harris said, smiling.
The prevailing opinion among those interviewed was that a deal involving
Magloire would likely be finalized by the draft.
Southall draws interest
Marquette University forward Steve Novak might not be the only player with
Wisconsin ties who could get drafted.
Mike Southall, a native of West Salem who played last season for
Louisiana-Lafayette, has piqued the curiosity of some teams. The 6-10
Southall was considered one of the top prep players in the nation and signed
a national letter of intent with Kentucky. But after some off-the-court
issues Southall moved onto Louisiana-Lafayette, where he averaged 15.8 points
and 8 rebounds last season.
If Southall was drafted, it would likely be at the tail end of the second
round.
Cream of the draft crop
Several NBA player personnel directors were in agreement that there were six
players clearly a cut above the others in this draft. They are, in no
particular order, forward Andrea Bargnani of Italy, forward Tyrus Thomas of
Louisiana State, center LaMarcus Aldridge of Texas, forward Adam Morrison of
Gonzaga, shooting guard Brandon Roy of Washington and forward Rudy Gay of
Connecticut.
However, Marcus Williams of Connecticut could be among the top six picks
since Atlanta, which has the fifth pick, covets a point guard. Three other
players who could be top 10 picks are guard Randy Foye of Villanova and
swingmen Rodney Carney of Memphis and Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas.
Two players who could slip out of the lottery are forward Shelden Williams of
Duke, regarded by some as a tweener, and center Patrick O’Bryant of Bradley,
considered by some to be at least a two-year project.
Free throws
New Sacramento coach Eric Musselman, who was rumored to be a candidate for
the Bucks head coaching job last summer, hasn’t wasted time putting together
a staff. Scott Brooks, who coached in Denver, along with Jason Hamm, who was
a video coordinator for the Memphis Grizzlies, are expected to join Musselman
’s staff. T.R. Dunn is also likely to be retained, leaving Musselman with
one more coach to hire. …. Michael Jordan, who came ever-so-close to buying
the Bucks a couple of summers ago, has made it clear he still wants to be an
owner. And that’s why some NBA officials aren’t dismissing the possibility
of Jordan and some of his deep-pocketed friends buying the Portland Trail
Blazers. … One of the crazier rumors circulating at the pre-draft camp was
that Cleveland, in an attempt to help superstar LeBron James, may shop guard
Larry Hughes, whom they signed to a lucrative free-agent contract last
summer. … Marquette’s Steve Novak, who struggled during the first two days
of the camp, rebounded nicely Friday. Novak scored 13 points, hitting on
6-of-10 field goals. He also grabbed four rebounds in 19 minutes of court
time. Novak didn’t fare as well during strength tests and will almost
certainly be placed on a serious weightlifting program by the team that
drafts him. ... llinois forward James Augustine is accumulating some major
frequent flyer points. Augustine has worked out, or will work out, for the
following teams: Toronto, the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento, Golden State,
Boston, Cleveland, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix and Chicago.
Gery Woelfel can be heard on WSSP (1250 AM) on Tuesday morning at 7:45 and on
Thursday afternoon at 4:45. Gery also joins Milwaukee Bucks general manager
Larry Harris and WSSP's Steve "Sparky'' Fifer every Thursday night for the
Pro Hoops Show, also on WSSP.
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