For four years, Larry Harris was the GM of the Bucks, between 2003 and 2007. He did not work miracles, nor made any memorable shots. We only really remember his first Draft choice in 2005, with Andrew Bogut.
He even stayed almost 20 years in the offices of the franchise in Milwaukee, before joining the Warriors in 2008. He is now assistant GM to Bob Myers in California.
“I lived for 28 years in Milwaukee and I used to say it to the guys from Golden State: you have to draft Milwaukee players… Actually, no, I wasn’t saying that…”he smiles now for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
He could, however, because the State of Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee have talents. The proof since two 2022 Warriors finalists come from there: Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney.
The two young players were born in the city of champions 2021 and played there until high school before leaving, for their university career, to UCLA for the interior, to Michigan for the back.
“At the end of the first round, only 10% of the players remain in the league. Not only are they still there, but they bring a lot and are essential for us”
We then found this duo in the Draft, each time at the end of the first round. Kevon Looney was chosen 30th in 2015, Jordan Poole two places higher, 28th in 2019.
“Having Looney in 30th place, Jordan in 28th… It never happens,” rejoices Steve Kerr. “It’s phenomenal what the leaders have achieved with these choices. At the end of the first round, only 10% of players remain in the league. Not only are our players still there, but they bring a lot and are essential for us. »
Still in the talent department of Milwaukee, we can also think of Tyler Herro, voted best sixth man of the season, in Miami. Not to mention Tyrese Haliburton, born in Oshkosh, which is less than 150 kilometers from the largest city in the state. So what’s Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s secret?
“What I say in general is that in Wisconsin, children are grounded in reality”attempts to explain Larry Harris. “They have good families, a good education. Family values are important in Wisconsin. I always thought raising kids there was a good thing. »
As it is applicable elsewhere in the United States or even in the world, the mystery remains: how and why do these children become NBA players?
“The players are hard workers”, continues the former Bucks manager. “They are always in the gym or on outdoor courts trying to progress. When we were researching Kevon and Jordan, talking with high school contacts, and even further into the Draft process, we always got the same feedback: they are constantly in the gym, want to play and want to improve. . »
Again, this isn’t unique to the city of Milwaukee, but more importantly, the two thrive together in the NBA.
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Fte | Pts |
| Stephen Curry | 64 | 34.6 | 43.7 | 38.0 | 92.3 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 25.5 |
| Klay Thompson | 32 | 29.4 | 42.9 | 38.5 | 90.2 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 20.4 |
| Jordan Poole | 76 | 30.0 | 44.8 | 36.4 | 92.5 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 18.5 |
| Andrew Wiggins | 73 | 31.9 | 46.6 | 39.3 | 63.4 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 17.2 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | 70 | 16.9 | 51.3 | 33.6 | 68.4 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 9.3 |
| Otto Porter | 63 | 22.2 | 46.4 | 37.0 | 80.3 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 8.2 |
| Draymond Green | 46 | 28.9 | 52.5 | 29.6 | 65.9 | 1.0 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 7.5 |
| Damion Lee | 63 | 19.9 | 44.1 | 33.7 | 88.0 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 7.4 |
| Gary Payton Ii | 71 | 17.6 | 61.6 | 35.8 | 60.3 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 7.1 |
| Nemanja Bjelica | 71 | 16.1 | 46.8 | 36.2 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 6.1 |
| Kevon Looney | 82 | 21.1 | 57.1 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 2.5 | 4.7 | 7.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 6.0 |
| Moses Moody | 52 | 11.7 | 43.7 | 36.4 | 77.8 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 4.4 |
| Juan Toscano-anderson | 73 | 13.6 | 48.9 | 32.2 | 57.1 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 4.1 |
| Andre Iguodala | 31 | 19.4 | 38.0 | 23.0 | 75.0 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 4.0 |
| Quinndary Weatherspoon | 11 | 6.7 | 57.1 | 20.0 | 100.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 2.7 |
| Chris Chiozza | 34 | 10.9 | 29.6 | 32.1 | 66.7 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 2.0 |
| Jeff Dowtin | 4 | 6.9 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 |
