The Portland Trail Blazers just made a rather controversial coaching hire in first-time head coach Chauncey Billups, and now they're looking to fill out his coaching staff. The Blazers are eyeing several notable candidates with head coaching experience for the lead assistant gig, with one of those names being a real blast from the past.
That would be former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Del Negro coached the Bulls at the very start of Derrick Rose's career but was fired after two seasons, with Tom Thibodeau taking over. Del Negro then coached the Clippers for three seasons before getting the boot in favor of Doc Rivers in 2013.
Del Negro has been working as an analyst for NBA TV since that Clippers job. If you're wondering why the Blazers would be considering him for a top assistant role now, it's almost certainly because Blazers general manager Neil Olshey hired Del Negro to be the coach in LA, so there's a prior relationship there.
Del Negro was often the subject of ridicule as a head coach, but perhaps he'd be better in the assistant role next to Billups. The former head coach surely learned some lessons over the years and could put that to good use with Billups and Damian Lillard. Or maybe he's still an awful coach with a great head of hair.
Aside from Vinny, the Blazers are also reportedly looking at Scott Brooks, who wasn't brought back by the Washington Wizards after five seasons. Former Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins is also in the mix. Hollins has been on Frank Vogel's coaching staff with the Los Angeles Lakers the last two seasons.
Portland clearly wants somebody with head coaching experience to help out Billups, so we'll see who gets the nod as a top dog to help him coach Dame in an important season.
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