It might be your town, but it is definitely Larry Harris' team.

A scant six weeks after putting his arm around head coach Terry Porter and all but declaring an all-for-one, one-for-all mentality, the Bucks general manager came to the conclusion Tuesday night that, in retrospect, things just wouldn't work out.

That May 6 press conference showed a unified front of two guys at a make-or-break point in their careers, and looked to provide a breath of stability for a franchise that has fallen apart after coming within a jumpshot of the 2001 NBA Finals.

The original announcement also came after weeks of speculation turned into months of rumor. Once the season ended, those rumors swelled before the team - this time, citing scheduling difficulties - finally trotted its two front men out for public consumption, 17 days after the season ended.

"We're basically in the same boat," Harris told the assembled media that day. "I told Terry, 'We're going to sink or swim together on this.' He has a lot to prove and so do I."

Porter, addressing Milwaukee media members Friday afternoon, looked dumbfounded by the decision. He had scheduled a meeting with Harris earlier in the week, and found out upon arrival that his services were no longer needed.

Just what Harris has proven over the past two years since taking the job is up for debate. And while basic American principle allows for one to change his mind at will, this decision leaves many scratching their heads.

Harris alleged there were no philosophical differences or personality conflicts according to Harris. And no, Porter's dismissal had nothing to do with preferred ways to utilize the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA draft, which Milwaukee just so happens to own.

Instead, fans are being fed Harris' tale that an inability to find suitable assistant coaches ready, willing, and able to work with a head coach who has one year remaining on his contract was the reason for Porter's demise.

"I made a decision back then that we would make some other changes within the staff," Harris said. "Terry did everything he could in the process. "He must have interviewed 11, 12, 13 different people it became more difficult to be able to put the staff together around someone who was in the last year of his contract."

So, here the Bucks sit. Just hours before making a decision that could change the fortunes of the franchise -- for better or for worse -- sans a head coach.

It's not just the draft. Having the top pick narrows your choices anyway, so who holds the first seat on the bench may not be the biggest concern. But the fact remains that one of the hottest commodities on the upcoming free agent market happened to wear a Bucks uniform the last five seasons, and, by all accounts, most people would like to see that fashion statement continue.

Whether Michael Redd's future plans will play into the Bucks' coaching search remain to be seen. But one cannot find it to be merely coincidental that former Seattle coach Nate McMillan is available, as is one of his star players who also just so happened to grace the Bradley Center floor for a few years in Ray Allen.

Naturally, the front runner right now is Flip Saunders. That name does little to dispel the notion that Porter's firing was merely a formality for quite some time. Most of the premier NBA jobs that Saunders' name was linked to have been filled.

Saunders' name will surely come up in Detroit if Larry Brown decides to pack his bags and head to New York, Cleveland's front office, or some other city ready and willing to pony up the ransom for the basketball's most successful vagabond.

Porter didn't offer a preference but he, like most people, didn't seem to buy into the concept that Harris didn't already have a list of possible candidates.

"This late in the game, they must have somebody in mind," Porter said. "That's something you have to ask Larry because I really don't know. I don't even want to start speculating what that process is because it just doesn't do me any good."

Meanwhile, he had no problem admitting was caught completely off guard by the decision, and felt a bit cheated. He said he would have no problem sleeping at night, knowing he did what he could with what he was given.

He just wished he could have finished the job.

"I was not given the three years I was promised to turn this team around," Porter said. "That's the disappointing part."

The Bucks have to get it right this time. There is no more room for error. Fans are upset, tickets are expensive and the clock is ticking on a new Bradley Center lease.

The draft choice has to be Andrew Bogut. Championship teams have a powerful inside presence, and Bogut is that guy. Michael Redd has to be resigned, as does Zaza Pacullia. And the new coach has to be somebody that the fans will trust.

Harris said he expects this next edition of the Bucks to make it to the playoffs. That's a pretty tall order, especially since its anybody's guess who will make up the roster next season.

Harris has to get it right, because otherwise he will be sinking alongside Porter -- just a year later.