Home cookin': Bucks finally bring in Porter

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. -- Terry Porter is finally over the heartache of being bypassed by his hometown team in the NBA draft 18 years ago.

Now he's coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I'm glad they didn't pass on me this time; '85 was a tough year for me," Porter said Wednesday at his introductory news conference.

Porter replaces George Karl, who was fired on July 20, and becomes the first black coach in franchise history.

After starring at Milwaukee South Division High School and Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Porter was hoping to be drafted by the Bucks in 1985.

He even spent the evening as their guest at the club's draft headquarters at the Milwaukee Arena.

But coach Don Nelson selected LSU's Jerry Reynolds instead, and Portland grabbed Porter two spots later with the 24th pick.

He starred for a decade with the Trail Blazers, becoming their career assists leader before stops at Minnesota, Miami and San Antonio before retiring in 2002.

Through it all, he never forgot that awful night in 1985.

"It always stuck me," Porter said. "Whenever I see Nelson and guys who were on that staff, I always give them a little jab: 'Hey, you guys passed up on me.' I always say that. Growing up in this town and being a part of the draft day and then not get drafted, it was disappointing

"But I look forward to being a big part of the organization now."

Sen. Herb Kohl had just bought the team when the Bucks passed on Porter the player.

"It's nice that you guys didn't pass up on me this time," Porter said he told Kohl after getting the coaching job.

Kohl gladly welcomed Porter to the Bucks this time.

"We are really very pleased that a man from our community has gone out and been a big success and now is coming home to provide that kind of leadership to our organization," Kohl said.

"It was just a matter of great coincidence but also great fortune for us that the best-qualified candidate was also the guy from our own community."

Porter, 40, worked last season as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings, his first season in coaching after a 17-year playing career.

76ERS HIRE ENGLISH: Hall of Famer Alex English joined the Philadelphia 76ers' coaching staff on Wednesday as assistant to Randy Ayers, who was promoted in June to replace Larry Brown.

In 15 NBA seasons, English averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and was an eight-time All-Star. One of the most recognizable figures in Denver Nuggets history, English also played for Dallas, Indiana and Milwaukee.

He joins the Sixers after serving as director of player development for the Atlanta Hawks last season. Before going to Atlanta, English was the head coach of the North Charleston Lowgators of the NBDL.

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