Lakers Learn the Hard Way What Kohl Wants, Kohl Gets : Pro basketball: Money is no object when Milwaukee Buck owner decides to do something.

Jerry Reynolds, the Sacramento Kings’ director of player personnel, couldn’t believe the news.

“Is it for sure?” Reynolds said of Mike Dunleavy’s decision to return to Milwaukee. “I’m really surprised. I just didn’t think it would be possible that Mike would leave the Lakers. I knew he had some good feelings about the Bucks’ organization in the past, but to leave a great franchise like the Lakers. . . .

“In general, I thought everybody tries to get to the Lakers, not leave them.”

Then again, Reynolds doesn’t know Herb Kohl.

Kohl is the same man who spent nearly $7.5 million--$6.1 million of which was his own money--on his successful 1988 campaign for the vacant Wisconsin seat in the U.S. Senate.

So intent was Kohl on winning the election that he outspent his Republican opponent, 3-1. He even bought television commercial time on several Minnesota stations so he would be guaranteed exposure in counties located on the state line.

Kohl, 56, is the same man who simply smiled when friends suggested that he buy the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985. About a week later, he did.

And Kohl, who made his fortune in the family grocery business in Milwaukee, is the same guy who reportedly threw a fit when the Lakers hired Dunleavy away from the Bucks in 1990.

According to those familiar with the circumstances, Kohl had planned to promote Dunleavy, a Milwaukee assistant, to head coach. Instead, the Lakers asked first and Dunleavy bolted. Kohl fumed.

Said one NBA team vice president: “(Kohl) has always been infatuated (with Dunleavy).”

And what Kohl wants. . . .

“Herb is a man who gets what he goes after,” said Golden State Warrior owner Jim Fitzgerald, who sold Kohl the Bucks in 1985. “He demonstrated that when he bought the Bucks. He was one of the most determined buyers I’ve ever seen. Persistent and persuasive.”

Kohl was no less determined about re-signing Dunleavy, especially after the Bucks decided shortly after regular season’s end not to retain Frank Hamblen, who had replaced Del Harris. Rumors sprang to life soon thereafter, all centering on Kohl’s efforts to lure Dunleavy back. “I admire Herb for having the audacity for even thinking he could get (Dunleavy) back,” Fitzgerald said. “To pull it off is great for the Bucks.”

Even Hamblen, who was moved to the Milwaukee front office, found himself impressed by his owner’s latest move. “He’s a private person, but he has strong ideas on what he thinks should be done,” Hamblen said. “And he normally gets what he wants done.”

Those same convictions were what led to Don Nelson’s departure as the Bucks’ coach in 1987. After all, Kohl told reporters shortly after the $19-million purchase of the Milwaukee franchise, “I’m not a meddler and I never will be.” Then he added, “I’m obviously not going to tell Don Nelson how to run his job.”

A relieved Nelson, whose initial contract with Kohl was based on a handshake, couldn’t have been happier with his new boss.

“From what I know about him, he’s a terrific person,” Nelson told the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1985.

Two years later, Kohl couldn’t help himself. Nelson later said that Kohl frequently criticized the coach’s game and personnel decisions, tried to arranged major trades and took pride in his ability to intimidate anyone who crossed his path. At one point, Nelson told Kohl that the owner knew nothing about basketball.

To no one’s surprise, Nelson later joined Fitzgerald with the Warriors.

“You’re talking about two pretty strong-willed guys,” said an NBA owner who requested anonymity. “Nellie is one of the best in his field, and Herb is one of the best in his. When you try to tell a guy in his field what to do, well. . . .”

Hamblen’s description of Kohl differed slightly. If anything, Hamblen said, Kohl’s interest in the team was welcomed.

“All my dealings with him, he’s been straightforward,” Hamblen said. “When I took over for the rest of the season, he said he’d evaluate things at the end of the season, see where we are.”

Kohl attended Buck home games on the weekends and would call Hamblen occasionally when the team was on the road.

“He wanted to see how we were doing,” Hamblen said. “He took a very active interest. He’s willing to turn every stone over.”

Kohl’s standing among his NBA peers is solid enough. Fitzgerald said Kohl is well regarded and, from a historical standpoint, may have saved the Bucks’ franchise from being moved from Milwaukee. “He’s certainly well respected,” he said. “He’s a U.S. senator, what the heck.”

But when asked if Kohl had a reputation among the other owners, and if so, what it was, Fitzgerald offered little help.

“Yes (Kohl does have a reputation) and no, I don’t want to answer the second one,” Fitzgerald said.

Put it this way: Kohl rarely disappoints himself.

When Milwaukee wanted a baseball franchise to replace the Braves, Kohl helped bring the then-Seattle Pilots to town. Milwaukee Brewer owner Bud Selig is former college roommate and close friend.

When Milwaukee was in danger of losing the Bucks to an out-of-town buyer, Kohl quickly stepped in with a check.

When Kohl mentioned the pressing need for a new arena, he received a commitment for a new building three days later.

When he decided to finally run for the Senate seat vacated by William Proxmire, Kohl did so with wallet open wide. In the state Democratic primary, he beat Anthony Earl and Ed Garvey. Three years earlier, Earl, then the governor of Wisconsin, had proclaimed an official “Herbert Kohl Day,” for the new owner of the Bucks.

So far, Kohl’s senatorial career has been highlighted by his appointment to the Judiciary Committee, which presided over the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. Otherwise, he is best known for his wealth, his campaign treasury and his NBA team.

In Los Angeles he is known as the man who persuaded Dunleavy to do the improbable: leave the Lakers.