Monday, January 21, 2002 - LOS ANGELES - Mike Evans has heard all the rumors about who could be the next head coach of the Denver Nuggets.

The odds seem stacked against him. And he hasn't been dealt the best hand to help his chances.

Even so, the Nuggets' interim coach is positive about his chances of winning the job permanently.

"I'm never going to think the glass is half-empty because I am the eternal optimist," Evans said.

Evans was thrust into this position when former coach Dan Issel was suspended for four games for making an insensitive ethnic remark to a heckling fan after a Dec. 11 loss to Charlotte. Evans went 2-2 during Issel's suspension.