In the past, Bob Whitsitt immediately replaced his fired coaches. This time he will take his time and do it right.

"I'd like to do it quickly, but quickly is not at all my priority on this thing," Whitsitt said. "What I'll probably do is build a list that is pretty large. When I get that list down a little bit, I'll spend a lot of time talking to people who have worked with those guys on the list, or have played for guys on the list, and those kinds of things."

Whitsitt would not name names, but his list probably includes Denver Nuggets assistant John Lucas, former Indiana Pacers assistant Rick Carlisle, former Georgetown University coach John Thompson, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Dennis Johnson and former Blazers standout Lionel Hollins. Former Blazer Clyde Drexler has expressed interest in the job.