Training camp is eight weeks away and the Philadelphia 76ers remain without a coach. The Sixers are continuing to interview for the vacancy, albeit at a seemingly leisured pace, and have a list of candidates that include assistants from the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics.
Trail Blazer assistant David Vanterpool interviewed with the 76ers on Monday and emerged from the meeting as a serious contender, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The 40-year-old assistant coach made a great impression on the NBA in his first season with Portland, where he worked closely with NBA rookie of the year Damian Lilliard.
Many in the league view Vanterpool as a future head coach, according to Yahoo! Sports. Vanterpool finished his playing career with CSKA Moscow under renowned Euroleague coach Ettore Messina, who Vanterpool later spent three seasons as an assistant under.
Vanterpool also has experience in a front office capacity that makes him a coveted hire - especially for Philadelphia, which is in rebuilding mode. The Oklahoma Thunder employed him in 2010 as the team's director of player personnel. While Vanterpool could have pursued a job as a general manager, his passion for coaching returned him to the sidelines last season under Trail Blazers coach Terry Scotts.
Philadelphia is also interested in Spurs assistant coach Brett Brown and Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga, Yahoo! Sports reported. Both assistants made strong impressions during the interview process.
Michael Curry, an assistant coach from the Doug Collins' regime, is the strongest internal candidate.
Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie has said he plans to be methodical with his search.
Whoever becomes the next coach might not have the team's 2013 first round pick available. Last week, Hinkie wouldn't rule out the possibility of Nerlens Noel missing the entire 2013-14 season.
