Majerle, Williams interview for Sixers coaching job

He was "Thunder Dan," known for his spectacular dunks, having played most of his career for the Phoenix Suns. Dan Majerle spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing for Cotton Fitzsimmons, Danny Ainge, Paul Westphal, Mike Fratello and Pat Riley, and seems to have learned his lessons well.

After some time in the Suns' broadcast booth and now in his second season as an assistant coach, a head-coaching job seemed to be the next logical goal. Majerle took a step in that direction yesterday, interviewing with the 76ers in Phoenix, where the Suns - having swept the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs - qualified for the Western Conference finals.

The Sixers also met yesterday with Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams, a former Sixer. Those interviews came on the heels of Sunday's sessions with Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Bill Laimbeer and former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell in Dallas.

"My goal was to see if I liked [coaching], and if it was something I wanted to do," Majerle told the Arizona Republic. "From the beginning, I knew I enjoyed it. I never really thought about being a head coach or that it's something I need to do right away. I'd like to gain some experience, but if the opportunity comes along, you never know. I love it in Phoenix, and I really enjoy what I'm doing. I love coaching."

Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski praised Majerle.

"Dan has been integral to the success of the Suns on both ends of the court this season," said Stefanski, who was joined in the meetings by assistant GM Tony DiLeo and team consultant Gene Shue. "He has played for some of the best coaches in the history of the league, and his approach to coaching is the same approach that made him so successful as a player - hard work, dedication and a team-first philosophy."

Suns coach Alvin Gentry said: "He knows the game. Either guys have it, or they don't have it. He's got a really good feel of players. He knows what he wants to do offensively, and he was a hell of a defensive player, so he's got a handle on that. He's still in touch with players and how to put them in the best situations to be successful.''

Williams has spent the last five seasons as a Trail Blazers assistant. He interviewed last year with the Timberwolves for the job that eventually went to Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis and he is scheduled to meet today with the New Orleans Hornets, a source told the Associated Press.

"Monty has proven to be a valuable asset on the bench in Portland," Stefanski said. "He has a wealth of experience both as an assistant coach and as a player in this league."

The Sixers have also interviewed TNT analyst and former coach Doug Collins and another former coach, Avery Johnson. They reached out to ESPN analyst and former coach Jeff Van Gundy, who was not interested in returning to the profession at this time. They also offered an interview to ESPN analyst and former player Mark Jackson, who declined.

Guard Jrue Holiday will represent the Sixers on the podium May 18 at the NBA draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J. The Sixers hold the No. 6 slot and have a 5.3 percent chance of jumping up to No. 1. *