After beating the odds to win the NBA draft lottery Tuesday, who could blame Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris for showing his nervousness on national TV. The Bucks entered the lottery with a 6.3 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick. Harris was ecstatic about just advancing to the final three with Atlanta and Portland. Before the lottery, Milwaukee was pegged to pick sixth overall. By landing the No. 1 pick, Harris also may have secured the return of free-agent guard Michael Redd.
“I was nervous, man,” said Harris, whose hands were visibly shaking when the announcement was made. “I didn’t expect to win. After making the top three and moving me up to the front (of two rows), I never had time to think about it.”
It would seem natural for Milwaukee to select Utah center Andrew Bogut in the June 28 draft. Don’t get me wrong, North Carolina forward Marvin Williams is an amazing athlete and will be a great NBA player whether as a small forward or a power forward. But Bogut is a true and talented center, which is hard to come by. Bogut won the 2005 John R. Wooden Award as college basketball’s top player. The Australian averaged 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds in leading the Utes to a 29-6 record. The 7-footer has inside and outside talent. He’s an above-average passer.
Bogut is also just 20 and gained experience playing against pros at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
“Bogut is without question the best big man in the draft,” Harris said. “Great hands, great feet. He is complete. He’s played at a high level.”
Bogut could start at center for Milwaukee right away and push the likes of Dan Gadzuric and Zaza Pachulia to the bench, where they belong. The Bucks also have Joe Smith and Desmond Mason back, so a power or small forward, respectively, isn’t a pressing need. Even so, Williams should get a good look.
“He’s the best freshman in the country,” Harris said. “Highly skilled. Can go inside and outside. Can shoot the 3.”
The Bucks also would like to work out point guards Chris Paul of Wake Forest and Deron Williams of Illinois. But expect the choice to be Bogut or Marvin Williams.
“We have an idea of the direction we are going,” Harris said. “(But Bogut and Williams) are the players we’ll look at for sure. I want the owner to meet them. I want to show them the city. They won’t work out for anyone. Just for coaches.”
Harris received several phone calls from Bucks players after receiving the top pick. None was more important than Redd’s.
The 2004 all-star averaged 23 points last season and is an unrestricted free agent. Harris has said he would do everything he can to re-sign Redd, and everything includes a lucrative contract. Redd has said he prefers to return to Milwaukee. Playing for the Bucks just got a lot more appealing.
“This helps,” Harris said. “Michael was excited.”
Harris also said he is encouraged by the recovery of Bucks point guard T.J. Ford from his spinal cord injury, suffered during the 2003-04 season. Ford has been working out in noncontact basketball drills in Houston with former NBA coach and player John Lucas. Ford is scheduled to be in Milwaukee on Monday for an MRI exam. And with Ford, Redd, Mason, Smith and Bogut in Milwaukee digs, Harris should have a solid Eastern Conference playoff contender next season.
Marc J. Spears can be heard weekly on ESPN 560 AM on Thursday morning and at 4 p.m. He can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.