SB Nation Denver: All Posts by James Pennington

• Flannery: Your NBA Finals Primer | The surprisingly sympathetic Spurs

• #Panquake: The pancake-eating marathon for charity

• NBA mock draft: Let's collaborate! | Scouting reports | Big Board

Brian Shaw, George Karl emerge as top candidates for Clippers coaching job

2013-06-07T01:15:20Z

Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw and former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl have emerged as the top two candidates for the vacant Los Angeles Clippers head job, ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne reported Thursday.

The report called Shaw the leading candidate. Shaw was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2004-11 and was a candidate to replace Phil Jackson when he retired following the 2011 season. When Mike Brown got the job instead, Shaw was hired as Indiana's associate head coach.

Karl emerged quickly as a candidate after being fired in Denver on Thursday morning, according to the report. The report also said the Clippers, knowing a change in Denver was imminent, have been keeping their eyes on the situation for several weeks. Karl, who is the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, was coach of the Nuggets since 2005 and has 1,131 career wins.

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins is also considered a candidate for the job.

Vinny Del Negro was fired from the Clippers last week.

More from SB Nation:

• Flannery: Your NBA Finals Primer | The surprisingly sympathetic Spurs

• #Panquake: The pancake-eating marathon for charity

• NBA mock draft: Let's collaborate! | Scouting reports | Big Board

Maurice Cheeks on verge of becoming Pistons head coach, according to report

2013-06-07T00:57:13Z

Maurice Cheeks could officially become the head coach of the Detroit Pistons by the end of Thursday night, according to Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.

As of yesterday, the coaching search was narrowed to Cheeks, the former Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers coach, and Nate McMillan, who coached the Blazers and the Seattle SuperSonics.

Since Flip Saunders was fired following the 2007-08 season, the Pistons have employed three head coaches. Lawrence Frank coached the team the past two seasons and had a 54-94 record. He was fired immediately following the season.

In the 2008-09 season, Cheeks was fired from the 76ers 23 games into his fourth year as head coach. He amassed a 122-147 record, qualifying for the playoffs once and losing in the first round. He also coached Portland for three full seasons and was fired during the fourth, coaching the Blazers to a 162-139 record from 2001-05. He made two first-round playoff appearances in Portland.

More from SB Nation:

• Flannery: Your NBA Finals Primer | The surprisingly sympathetic Spurs

• #Panquake: The pancake-eating marathon for charity

• NBA mock draft: Let's collaborate! | Scouting reports | Big Board

NBA Draft 2013: Dario Saric leaning towards withdrawing, according to report

2013-06-07T00:31:49Z

Croatian forward Dario Saric may withdraw from the 2013 NBA draft to stay in Croatia one more season, ESPN.com's Chad Ford reported Thursday evening.

The 19-year-old small forward is considered to be the top international prospect in this year's draft. However, Ford said Saric enjoys playing in Croatia, and is considering the extra season to develop his skills before making the leap to the NBA.

It was reported yesterday that he was considering staying in Europe. Players have until June 17 to withdraw from the draft, which is on June 27.

Saric makes for an intriguing prospect because of his skillset and size; despite standing 6'10, he'll likely develop into a wing player because of his ball-handling ability.

He was the No. 21 overall pick in Draft Express' most recent mock draft Thursday. Ford reported New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps traveled to Croatia earlier this week to see him play in person.

More from SB Nation:

• Flannery: Your NBA Finals Primer | The surprisingly sympathetic Spurs