NBA

Milwaukee fires coach

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. - The Bucks fired coach Terry Porter on Wednesday, two months after finishing their worst season in almost a decade.

The Bucks have the first pick in next week's draft, and general manager Larry Harris said the team needs to go in a new direction.

"Certainly for the direction of this franchise heading forward, we certainly need to make a move," Harris said.

Plagued with injuries and a revolving roster in Porter's second season, the Bucks went 30-52 last season and failed to make the playoffs. The decision came about a month after the team announced Porter would return.

Harris said the team will focus on next week's draft while starting immediately to look for a new coach. He also said he decided Tuesday night after weeks of contemplation to fire Porter, and the decision had nothing to do with the draft.

"We didn't have philosophical differences. He didn't want different guys than I did," Harris said.

Instead, Harris said having a coach in the last season of his contract made it difficult to assemble a coaching staff. The team has two assistant spots open.

He said Porter was shocked when he learned of the decision Wednesday afternoon.

"Terry Porter will get another coaching job. There's no doubt about it," Harris said.

On Sunday and Monday, Porter attended workouts for prospective No.1 picks Marvin Williams and Andrew Bogut.

Porter, who was not available for comment, thanked Harris and owner Herb Kohl for the opportunity.

"Obviously, I am disappointed by the decision," he said in a statement.

A Milwaukee native, Porter played for Portland, Minnesota, Miami and San Antonio during a 17-year career that included two trips to the NBA Finals.

Last month, when Harris said Porter would return, he said, "I told him, "You know we're going to sink or swim together on this."'

Harris said Wednesday he believed that was the right decision at the time, but "everybody's allowed to change their mind."

SONICS: General manager Rick Sund signed a three-year extension. His contract was set to expire June30. Financial terms were not disclosed.

DRAFT: The league released the list of 49 college players and 11 international players eligible for the draft.

The most prominent college players are All-Americans Andrew Bogut of Utah and Chris Paul of Wake Forest. National champion North Carolina has four: juniors Sean May, Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton and freshman Marvin Williams. And there are four international 7-footers, led by 7-2 Martynas Andriuskevicius of Lithuania.

MINNESOTA 75, PHOENIX 59: Nicole Ohlde scored 10 of her 14 during the second half for the host Lynx. Vanessa Hayden and Katie Smith scored 12 for Minnesota, which ended a two-game losing streak. Diana Taurasi scored 14 and Penny Taylor 12 for Phoenix, which has lost four of five.

The Lynx expanded a 31-24 lead to 13 during the first two minutes of the second half. Ohlde and Hayden combined to score Minnesota's first 10.

Taylor countered with seven quick points to keep the Mercury in the game. But the Lynx slowly pulled away, making 12 consecutive free throws down the stretch.

[Last modified June 23, 2005, 00:47:00]