I don’t understand Larry Harris (GM of the Bucks). In case you don’t live in Milwaukee or don’t care about sports, Harris fired the Bucks’ coach of 1 1/2 years (Terry Stotts) on Tuesday. I liked Stotts. He was a stand-up guy with a good heart, and had a rough year with injuries that he couldn’t do anything about. People will say it wasn’t fair to fire him, but I think it is. He couldn’t motivate his players to play 4 quarters worth of basketball. They’d play for 2 or 3, but not 4, thus losing games.

The new guy they brought in, Larry Krystkowiak, was an assistant and a former player with the Bucks. Great–he’s got ties to Milwaukee and the Bucks. Time will tell if he’ll be a good head coach. But what bothers me is the contract they signed him to.

The 42-year-old Krystkowiak was signed to a four-year deal, according to sources, with two years guaranteed and the final two years considered a team option. The average salary in the deal is approximately $2 million, sources indicated.

$2 million per year for a guy who has no head coaching experience in the NBA. I did a google search on this, and the most recent salaries I could find for NBA coaches was interesting. These are figures from the 2004-2005 season, so of course, I’m sure the contracts are higher now… but still… look at how many were on a 1-year contract for $1 million.

Coach, team Average yearly salary Total contract Signed through
Rick Adelman, Sacramento Kings $6.9 million 3-yr; $20.6 million 2005-06
Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz 5.5 million 2-yr; 11 million 2005-06
Larry Brown, Detroit Pistons 5 million 5-yr; 25 million 2007-08
Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics 5 million 4-yr; 20 million 2007-08
Jeff Van Gundy, Houston Rockets 5 million 4-yr; 20 million 2006-07
Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers 4 million 4-yr; 16 million 2006-07
Mike Fratello, Memphis Grizzlies 4 million 4-yr; 16 million 2007-08
Jim O’Brien, Philadelphia 76ers 4 million 3-yr; 12 million 2006-07
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs 4 million 5-yr; 20 million 2007-08
Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets 3.3 million 3-yr; 10 million 2006-07
Bernie Bickerstaff, Charlotte Bobcats 3 million 4-yr; 12 million 2006-07
Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers 3 million 4-yr; 12 million 2006-07
Eddie Jordan, Washington Wizards 3 million 4-yr; 12 million 2006-07
George Karl, Denver Nuggets 3 million 3-yr; 9 million 2006-07
Mike Montgomery, Golden State Warriors 3 million 4-yr; 12 million 2007-08
Stan Van Gundy, Miami Heat 3 million 4-yr; 12 million 2006-07
Nate McMillan, Seattle SuperSonics 2.7 million 4-yr; 10.8 million 2004-05
Lawrence Frank, New Jersey Nets 2.5 million 4-yr; 10 million 2007-08
Scott Skiles, Chicago Bulls 2 million 3-yr; 6 million 2005-06
Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks 2 million 4-yr; 8 million 2007-08
Mike D’Antoni, Phoenix Suns 1.8 million 3-yr; 5.4 million 2006-07
Sam Mitchell, Toronto Raptors 1.6 million 3-yr; 4.9 million 2006-07
Terry Porter, Milwaukee Bucks 1.5 million 4-yr; 6 million 2006-07
Frank Hamblen, Los Angeles Lakers 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Chris Jent, Orlando Magic 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Avery Johnson, Dallas Mavericks 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Brendan Malone, Cleveland Cavaliers 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Kevin McHale, Minnesota Timberwolves 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05
Herb Williams, New York Knicks 1 million 1-yr; 1 million 2004-05

What would have been wrong with a 1 year, $1 million contract to “test the waters” to see if he’s a fit. Why sign him to a long-term deal?