George Karl brought respectability to the Bucks, but owner Senator Herb Kohl and the fans were expecting more.

Do you remember just how bad the Bucks were before Karl showed up? Under Mike Dunleavy and Chris Ford, they rivaled the Brewers for futility in the won-loss column.

Karl brought respectability within a season, and almost got the Bucks into the NBA finals in 2001. But, after that season, the Bucks went .500 and then 42-40. What had been respectable was now considered mediocre.

So, Kohl decided to cut Karl loose, at the cost of buying out at least part of the $7 million-plus salary for the final year of the coach's contract. For that kind of money, the Senator certainly had the right to expect more than mediocrity, or respectability. He wanted a championship.

Whether Kohl is looking to rebuild towards another title try, or just having a fire sale to make his franchise more appealing to possible buyers, he has cleaned house of his high profile GM and coach, not to mention his starting point guard for the last few years.

Where the Bucks are going is an unanswerable question right not, but wherever it is it will be without Karl? In some ways, that's a shame. Karl brought a certain color and fun to the Bucks that had not been present since the Don Nelson days.

He also was very involved in the community, from personal appearances to a summer camp at Whitefish Bay High School to the Friends of Hoop prep tournament. In fact, he had plans to build a Friends of Hoop facility in the PabstCity development, but it was recently announced those plans had been dropped. We probably should have seen it as a preview of things to come, although FOH spokespersons say the facility might still be built somewhere in Milwaukee.

Karl had great chemistry through practicing "tough love" with the 2000-2001 team, but that approach caused resentment the following year, and led to strained relations with Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell, Ray Allen and Tim Thomas. All except Thomas were given plane tickets out of town before Karl.

Last season, Karl took a lower key, but seemingly less passionate approach, at least publicly. It really didn't work beyond that mediocre or respectable level. Karl's stock also dropped when the U.S. team he coached performed poorly in last year's World Championships. Several members of that team ripped Karl after the tournament.

Some critics have noted that Karl has established a pattern with all his teams of starting as a players' coach and then having dissension problems.

This writer personally will miss Karl, but also understands why Kohl and the fans wanted more than just respectability for their investments. Now, the challenge will be for the Bucks to even maintain that level.

Of course, neither the Bucks nor the Brewers really matter much anymore because the team Wisconsin fans really care about opened training camp this week. Veterans reported to the Packers' camp in Green Bay on Tuesday. Soon, there will be more people circling the Don Hutson practice field to watch drills than there are at some Brewers' games.

The Packers face some challenges in camp. First, they have to put together a defensive unit from a group of young players and remaining vets. Some of the latter have injuries and other question marks.

Second, they have to hope that tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher have recovered from injuries to solidify the offensive line. Thirdly, they need to add depth at wide receiver and other positions.

Of course, as long as Brett Favre remains healthy, the Packers should still be in the hunt for the division title and make the playoffs. You can read about the Pack weekly once the regular season starts in the On The Pack column, which will run the day after all games.

Manager Ned Yost apparently has decided to go with the closer by committee approach after Mike De Jean blew several saves.

Bill Hall, who fizzled in a late season stint with the Crew, is back up and got a triple and a double Tuesday night. Hall is the first of several prospects who are being counted on to make things better in the future. A shortstop last season, Hall also has played second base and the outfield this season.

Brewers' draft pick Rickie Weeks received the 2003 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award recently. Let's hope the next news about Weeks is that the Brewers signed him& ... Longtime Admirals' fans might recognize the team's new coach, Claude Noel, not only as a former assistant coach, but as the player for Toledo who almost singlehandedly killed the Admirals' championship hopes in 1982-'83& ... Former Buck Terry Cummings will hold a youth basketball camp Aug. 7-9 at the Police Athletic League Center on Burleigh. Call 364-7305 or 803-1801 for more information.

The Wave will be making a couple road trips well beyond Milwaukee next season, since the Major Indoor Soccer League recently announced it is expanding to Monterrey, Mexico& ... Cas Prime of Janesville Parker scored two touchdowns, and Andy Moriarty of Homestead scored the capper, to lead the South to a 28-13 win over the North in the annual Shrine Bowl at UW-Oshkosh& ...

After Thursday night, the Brewers are on the road the rest of this month, but it's still a busy weekend in local sports. Wave United hosts the El Paso Patriots at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Uihlein Field.

Aussie Rules Football is on tap Saturday when the Bombers host the Chicago Swans at Kletzsch Park.

Hundreds of basketball enthusiasts will take to the streets down for the NBA Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 tournament.

The International Cycling Classic will wrap up with races at Downer Avenue on Saturday and Whitefish Bay on Sunday. By the way, some of the organizers of the races have expressed concern over city charges for police at the events and reimbursement of fees for parking meters that are covered during the races. These costs apparently are making it tougher to hold the annual events, which attract thousands of spectators. City officials should work with the race organizers to ensure the events stay healthy financially.

Mark your calendar for Aug. 8-10 when the General Motors Offshore Grand Prix Race will be held in Lake Michigan off Veterans Park. Eighty of the fastest powerboats in the world are expected to compete.