As the search for a new head coach of the Denver Nuggets drags on, Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson has opted to take his name out of the running for the vacant position.
"Although the Nuggets never offered me the job, the longer the process took, the easier it was for me to make the decision to remain with the Jazz," Johnson said Wednesday. "I was never sure that I would leave, even if the offer would have been extended to me. It would have taken a lot for me to leave a situation I feel very good about."
Johnson's Utah colleagues had continued to back his bid for the post.
"We'd hate to lose him, but they'd be smart to hire him," Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's vice president of basketball operations, had said Tuesday.
Via Deseret News
Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets
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The (AP) reports: Utah Jazz assistant Phil Johnson said Wednesday he has withdrawn as a candidate for the head coaching job with the Denver Nuggets.
"Although the Nuggets never offered me the job, the longer the process took, the easier it was for me to make the decision to remain with the Jazz," he said. "I was never sure that I would leave, even if the offer would have been extended."
Johnson reportedly was one of two finalists in Denver, along with Dallas assistant and former Lakers coach Del Harris.
For the past 14 seasons, Johnson has been the top assistant to Utah coach Jerry Sloan. He was the NBA's coach of the year in 1974-75, leading the Kansas City-Omaha Kings to a 44-38 record and second place in the Midwest Division. He coached the Kings from 1973-78 and the Kansas City-Sacramento Kings from 1984-87.
RealGM Note: This could open the door for Harris to get the Nuggets job. Usually when a canadiate for a Head coaching job withdraws, it means that he wasn't going to get the job. Then again, it has been said the Del Harris really likes being an assistant in Dallas and even if he were to think about leaving, Mark Cuban might bump up his salary again to convince him to stay. Stay tuned to Wiretap for more on the Nuggets Head Coaching situation.
Via ESPN
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An article on Denver's possible signing of free agent Mark Blount from the Boston Celtics and what could happen as a result. More moves are to come says assistant GM David Fredman
Via The Denver Post
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Nuggets Jul 2002 Archive
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| Jul 30, 2002
Marc J.
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| Jul 26, 2002
Kyle Ringo of the Rocky Mountain News reports that the Nuggets want to make a few changes.
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Deseret News | Jul 25, 2002
The Jazz essentially reached an agreement in principle with 6-foot-7 swingman Calbert Cheaney on Wednesday and hoped to have the Denver Nuggets free agent signed as early as this morning.
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Deseret News | Jul 24, 2002
One day after coach Jerry Sloan revealed why nine-season Jazz vet Bryon Russell won't be offered a new contract in Utah, the franchise took time to woo another veteran swingman.
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Rocky Mountain News | Jul 24, 2002
Free-agent swingman Calbert Cheaney won't be back in a Denver Nuggets uniform next season.
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| Jul 24, 2002
With no plans to bring Bryon Russell back for a 10th season, the Jazz are considering candidates to replace him.
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Standard Examiner | Jul 24, 2002
The Jazz might lose an assistant coach to Denver, but they could wind up with one of the Nuggets' shooting guards.
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| Jul 24, 2002
Nene Hilario, the 19-year-old Brazilian selected No.
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| Jul 24, 2002
Chris Tomasson of the Beacon-Journal reports that the Cavaliers and free agent Ricky davis are not close to a deal.
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The Rocky Mountain News | Jul 22, 2002
Kyle Ringo calls Tubby Smith a wild card in the Nuggets coaching search.
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| Jul 22, 2002
You can cross Nets' assistant coach Eddie Jordan's name off the list of potential head coaches for now at least.
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Salt Lake Tribune | Jul 21, 2002
Phil Johnson watched the Jazz summer-league team play Denver on Saturday.
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The Denver Post. | Jul 19, 2002
Marc Spears reports:
Stan Kroenke wants a new coach hired and soon.
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| Jul 17, 2002
Hughes is set to bolster the Wizards backcourt
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Deseret News | Jul 16, 2002
Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson has emerged as one of three leading candidates to become new head coach of the Denver Nuggets — a job Jerry Sloan's longtime No.
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| Jul 15, 2002
Marc Spears writes about yesterdays tryout for the Denver Nuggets.
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The Denver Post | Jul 14, 2002
Mark Kiszla has an opinion of the Nuggets coaching search.
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The Denver Post | Jul 14, 2002
Marc Spears reports on what appear to be the 3 serious candidates for the Denver Nuggets head coaching position.
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| Jul 13, 2002
Gary Baines of the Daily Camera reports that the Nuggets have agreed to a deal with Ryan Bowen.
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The Denver Post | Jul 12, 2002
Marc Spears reports on Nikoloz Tskitishvili's contract buy-out situation.
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The Denver Post | Jul 11, 2002
Marc Spears has a brief article about the contracts of this years first round Denver draft picks.
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The Denver Post | Jul 11, 2002
Marc Spears writes about Scott Williams and his thoughts of retuning to the Nuggets.
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| Jul 9, 2002
Nene Hilario may not be free in time to play for the Nuggets’ summer league team.
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The Rocky Mountain News | Jul 6, 2002
What will happen with the Nuggets, the point guard position, and Mark Jackson? A buyout? A trade? Will he help Denver rebuild?
The Newswire Service has a good article on the NBA veteren.
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Denver Post | Jul 5, 2002
Coach might not be hired until the end of July
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The Denver Post | Jul 4, 2002
Marc Spears has an article on how it could be mid-July before Kiki Vandeweghe narrows his search for a head coach.
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Standard Examiner | Jul 4, 2002
As was the case with their exhaustive preparation for this summer's NBA draft, the Denver Nuggets are attempting to cover their bases in the search for a head coach.
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The Denver Post | Jul 4, 2002
Mark Spears writes about the Nuggets second round pick (33) Vincent Yarbrough.
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The Rocky Mountain News | Jul 4, 2002
Doug Moe back with the Nuggets? A candid article by Dave Krieger on the former Denver coach.
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Salt Lake Tribune | Jul 2, 2002
David Fredman said he is the reason Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe will interview Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson for the Nuggets' vacant head coaching job today.
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Rocky Mountain News | Jul 2, 2002
Kyle Ringo of the Rocky Mountain News reports: The Denver Nuggets lost one potential head coach while interviewing another Monday.
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| Jul 2, 2002
Jerry Krause has all but assured Daily Herald writer Mike McGraw that the Bulls will remain over the cap this offseason, resisting the temptation of clearing the $5.
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Salt Lake Tribune | Jul 1, 2002
Phil Johnson, a Jazz assistant coach since 1988, will interview for the Nuggets' vacant head coaching job Tuesday in Denver.
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Dallas Morning News | Jul 1, 2002
Dwain Price of the Ft.
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Memphis Commercial Appeal | Jul 1, 2002
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the teams willing to pay the luxury tax next season.
