The Nuggets are reportedly showing some interest in Jerry Sloan?s top assistant of 17 seasons in Utah, Phil Johnson.

"He said they were interested, that's all," Johnson said of a "very brief" phone conversation with Vandeweghe, who fired Bzdelik on Tuesday after 2 1/2 seasons and the Nuggets in the midst of a six-game losing streak. "He wants to talk."

Johnson, who has been rated as the NBA?s top assistant coach in a survey of the league?s managers in October, is not sure he wants to take over a team in mid-season after a rough experience in Kansas City, taking over a team in midseason is much more awkward than during the summer - he knows from experience, having assumed the Kansas City Kings' reins midway through the 1973-74   season - and it leaves the coach's current team in a difficult situation, "so maybe that makes you less inclined [to seek the job]. But we'll see," he said.