Suns Interview Cartwright for Assistant

[Sun Scorched]

One coaching job filled. Four to go.

With new Suns coach Terry Porter back in the Valley for good this week, the Suns returned to work on filling out the bench staff Tuesday by interviewing New Jersey assistant coach Bill Cartwright for one of four assistant-coaching jobs.

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said he already has interviewed San Antonio assistant Chip Engelland for an assistant position and plans to meet with former Porter teammate Buck Williams this week.

Kerr said Suns assistants Alvin Gentry and Jay Humphries, under contract for one more year, and Suns television broadcast analysts Dan Majerle and Eddie Johnson are still in the mix.

Mike D'Antoni's other assistants from recent years, Phil Weber and Dan D'Antoni, are expected to join his New York Knicks staff. Coaches who interviewed during the head-coach search, such as Paul Silas and Jeff Hornacek, remain possibilities to join the staff.

"The big thing for me is experience next to Terry," Kerr said. "He's still a young coach. To put guys next to him with experience is important.

"Terry and I have to collaborate on this because I have a feeling for what this team needs, and he has a feeling for who he'll work well with."

Cartwright's contract with New Jersey expired this year after four seasons as a Nets assistant coach. He was Chicago's head coach for 151 games, including all of the 2002-03 season, after serving as a Bulls assistant for six seasons, including the 1997 and 1998 championship teams.

Cartwright, a center known as "Teach" as a player, had a 15-year career with three title teams, an All-Star year and one season as Kerr's teammate (1993-94).

Kerr said he felt that the Suns staff was lacking a big-man coach last season after Marc Iavaroni went to Memphis.

Finding mentors and coaches to foster Amaré Stoudemire's progress is a priority.

"The physical presence of looking someone in the eyes is important," Kerr said.

"When you're coaching, that means something and the credentials of fighting Shaq on the court and having them do it. It's not just a theory. It's, 'I did it.' "

Kerr sees his ideal staff as being a blend of experienced coaches who will offer advice and in-game strategy and younger coaches focusing on daily development.

Engelland, like Weber, is known as a shooting coach who counts Kerr and Grant Hill among the players he has advised, and his work with Tony Parker is most acclaimed.

He spent two years in player development with Denver and three years as a Spurs assistant. He would have to be promoted to an expanded role to leave his Spurs contract.

Williams was known for his character and fundamentally sound game during 17 NBA seasons, spending six as Porter's teammate in Portland with trips together to the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals. A former players union president, Williams has not coached in the NBA since retiring in 1998. He has been a Washington, D.C., construction-supply company executive.

[Sun Scorched]

My bad guys.

I'm used to looking at the most recent threads on the Suns RGM homepage. Didn't see this was posted a while ago.

Gotta get used to coming to the Forum from now on.

Sorry TASTIC, tsherkin.

[TASTIC]

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=814988

Sweet mate