lefty
05-16-2007, 04:40 PM
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings are both interested in Chuck Person to fill their head coaching jobs.
The Pacers assistant interviewed for his team's job last week, and the Kings have asked for permission to talk with him about their vacancy. The Kings job would reunite him with former Pacer Ron Artest.
Indiana also interviewed assistant Johnny Davis on Tuesday. The Indianapolis Star reported that the team also has talked to former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Brian Shaw about the job.
The Pacers were not commenting on their coaching search.
Person, 42, known in his playing days as a high-scoring outside shooter nicknamed "The Rifleman," has never been interviewed for a head coaching job before but says he's been working toward that goal.
He split time between administrative and coaching duties for three years with the Pacers before becoming a full-time assistant coach under former coach Rick Carlisle the past two years. Carlisle was fired April 26. Person believes his familiarity with the team gives him an advantage.
"I understand what those guys' strengths and weaknesses are," he said Wednesday. "It would be a great opportunity."
The 1987 NBA Rookie of the Year as a Pacer was in charge of Indiana's defense this season. The Pacers were 12th in the NBA in scoring defense (98 points per game) and 13th in field-goal percentage defense (.457). But the team went 35-47 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, leading to Carlisle's dismissal.
Person, who played 13 seasons before retiring in 2000, said an interview with the Kings has not been scheduled and that he likes the team's talent. The Kings made the playoffs in 2005-2006, but fell to 32-49 this season.
"That job would be an amazing job with a ton of potential," Person said. "They've got All-Star-type players in Ron Artest and Mike Bibby. They're up and coming. And Kevin Martin is coming off a fantastic year."
Person is familiar with Artest, who had a troubled past in Indiana before being traded to Sacramento two seasons ago. Person said his experience in working with Artest would benefit him.
Person faces stiff competition for the Kings opening. The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the other candidates are Shaw, Van Gundy, Houston assistant Tom Thibodeau, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus and former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner.
Person feels ready to move up because he paid close attention to Carlisle.
"It doesn't get any better than Rick Carlisle," Person said. "I learned a lot under him. He helped me realize this job can be done if you're prepared."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
The Pacers assistant interviewed for his team's job last week, and the Kings have asked for permission to talk with him about their vacancy. The Kings job would reunite him with former Pacer Ron Artest.
Indiana also interviewed assistant Johnny Davis on Tuesday. The Indianapolis Star reported that the team also has talked to former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Brian Shaw about the job.
The Pacers were not commenting on their coaching search.
Person, 42, known in his playing days as a high-scoring outside shooter nicknamed "The Rifleman," has never been interviewed for a head coaching job before but says he's been working toward that goal.
He split time between administrative and coaching duties for three years with the Pacers before becoming a full-time assistant coach under former coach Rick Carlisle the past two years. Carlisle was fired April 26. Person believes his familiarity with the team gives him an advantage.
"I understand what those guys' strengths and weaknesses are," he said Wednesday. "It would be a great opportunity."
The 1987 NBA Rookie of the Year as a Pacer was in charge of Indiana's defense this season. The Pacers were 12th in the NBA in scoring defense (98 points per game) and 13th in field-goal percentage defense (.457). But the team went 35-47 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, leading to Carlisle's dismissal.
Person, who played 13 seasons before retiring in 2000, said an interview with the Kings has not been scheduled and that he likes the team's talent. The Kings made the playoffs in 2005-2006, but fell to 32-49 this season.
"That job would be an amazing job with a ton of potential," Person said. "They've got All-Star-type players in Ron Artest and Mike Bibby. They're up and coming. And Kevin Martin is coming off a fantastic year."
Person is familiar with Artest, who had a troubled past in Indiana before being traded to Sacramento two seasons ago. Person said his experience in working with Artest would benefit him.
Person faces stiff competition for the Kings opening. The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the other candidates are Shaw, Van Gundy, Houston assistant Tom Thibodeau, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus and former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner.
Person feels ready to move up because he paid close attention to Carlisle.
"It doesn't get any better than Rick Carlisle," Person said. "I learned a lot under him. He helped me realize this job can be done if you're prepared."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press