Scott Skiles becomes new coach of Milwaukee Bucks

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Milwaukee Bucks signed a four-year contract with Scott Skiles as their new coach Monday.

He replaces Larry Krystkowiak, who was fired last week after Milwaukee finished this past season with a 26-56 record.

"It's not going to be easy," Skiles said. "I don't have any magic dust to sprinkle on people. We're going to have to do it by working harder and playing better (defense), and the first step will be getting competitive every single night. The team has not been competitive every night and if we do that, good things will happen."

Skiles, 44, said he has a "fond place" in his heart for Milwaukee. He is drafted out of Michigan State by the Bucks in the first round in 1986 and has an overall record of 281-251 in eight seasons as an NBA head coach with Phoenix and Chicago. He owns the NBA's single-game assist record.

He was fired in December as coach of the Bulls during this past season after the team started 9-16. The previous season, Skiles directed the Bulls to a 49-win season and a first-round sweep of Miami in the playoffs.

Skiles got his first head coaching job in Phoenix in 1999, when he was promoted after Danny Ainge resigned. He had coached teams to the post-season five times.

(Agencies)