"I think we're an elite organization," Karl said. "By that, we've moved into the 10 or 12 teams that everybody knows is pretty damn serious about trying to win.

"I think Sen. Kohl, by hiring me, we're pretty serious about trying to become special. The first two years were good steps. Last year was a hell of a step. But now expectations are against you and expectations are too strong. My job is to keep a balance on the arrogance that can come from success."

After years of being accused of operating on the cheap, the Bucks are certainly playing the part of an elite franchise. Karl brought that attitude from Seattle by demanding a first-class deportment from the organization.

The year after bringing in Karl, Kohl hired Ernie Grunfeld, the former New York Knicks general manager who imported another level of sophistication to Milwaukee. Grunfeld's personnel moves have brought the Bucks' payroll to $54 million, in the league's top 10 and a staggering sum for a small-market team.