Tomjanovich content for now; Francis may be olympian; Dunleavy ok being #2 (Chron)

Tomjanovich is content ... for now
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
Their futures on the line, 77 players sweated for millions. Some might never get a chance so clear. Others knew that the right showing could move them from second-rounders trying to earn a place on the not-really-injured list to first-rounders with guaranteed contracts.

But for all their efforts, it was difficult to pay much attention to the court. The more subtle, but equally crucial action at the Chicago pre-draft camp was in the stands, where virtually every NBA executive, coach and scout worked the room like veteran politicians or traded gossip as if at a convention of celebrity columnists.

But in the corner of the court, former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich -- and how odd does it seem to add the word "former" -- watched the games and shook hands at the start of his new life.

Tomjanovich was in Chicago largely to help his former assistants find new gigs and to begin figuring out just what he will do as a Rockets consultant. He told of his vacation when the city kid worked a tractor on a friend's property. He told friend after friend that he really was as happy as he looked, though he admitted there have been days he yearned to coach.

He even became the subject of a few rumors. Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said no general manager has asked about talking to Tomjanovich about a coaching vacancy. Still, there was speculation he could be targeted for the 76ers job. This made sense if only because Tomjanovich's system and personal style would be perfect for the Sixers and Allen Iverson. But it's too soon.

Tomjanovich said his priority remains on getting well. He underwent a biopsy to determine if the first round of bladder cancer treatments removed the abnormal cells or if another round of six treatments would be necessary.

He would not begin to consider coaching again until after getting a positive report. But even then, he would have to weigh how much the stress of coaching contributed to his condition, and could cause a recurrence.

He could choose to try out his new duties for a year, mixing in a bit of normal life to see how he likes it. If the lure of coaching remains strong, other jobs will open. And the word around Chicago was that he will be a coveted coaching commodity whenever he is ready.

For now, like the games this week in front of him, he will watch the coaching carousel spin without him. He knew this week that he missed it, but also that stepping down was right. Few people ever see the genuine signs of respect and affection Tomjanovich has the past few months and again last week in Chicago. He can happily remain on the sidelines.

Then next year, he can succeed Phil Jackson as the perfect fit for Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.


Team USA might eye Francis
-- A torn labrum kept Steve Francis off the USA Basketball World Championships team. But another torn labrum could give Francis another chance.
A routine MRI of Kobe Bryant's right shoulder found the tissue tear and after he goes through a few more examinations, he is expected to have the surgery Francis underwent after last season. Bryant should be ready for the Lakers' training camp, but the three-month rehabilitation will almost certainly put him out of this summer's Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.

Last summer, Francis was high on the USA Basketball list when Jason Kidd and Ray Allen had to back out with injuries. But when Francis' surgery uncovered far more damage than expected, his three-month rehab ended any hopes of joining the USA Basketball team.

Francis surely would be considered again, but it is difficult to tell just what the selection committee will seek in a replacement for Bryant. With Kidd and Mike Bibby at point guard and Allen and Allen Iverson at shooting guard, the committee might look for a taller perimeter shooter. Tracy McGrady and Richard Jefferson are the small forwards.

More than anything, the committee will likely seek a player who will cheerfully accept not playing much in Puerto Rico and not having any assurance of playing in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

When Larry Brown coached the team in the 1999 qualifying tournament in San Juan, Elton Brand and Wally Szczerbiak rarely played, even in routs. But this could be a chance for committee chairman Stu Jackson to finally end suspicions that he has not forgiven Francis for his refusal to play in Vancouver when Jackson was Grizzlies GM. And it could be a chance for Francis to finally get on a USA Basketball team, be around the committee members for two weeks and radically improve his chances of getting on future teams.


Dunleavy keeps options open
-- Mike Dunleavy was willing to wait as long as it took for the Rockets to reach a coaching decision, even to come in as a clear second choice if the Rockets could not land Jeff Van Gundy. But he had the luxury of waiting while knowing he will be back coaching next season.
It has been common knowledge for weeks that he would be the assumed choice in Atlanta when David McDavid is approved as the new Hawks owner. The Hawks have some talent. McDavid seems likely to spend in the Mark Cuban mold. And it does not hurt working for a boss that is a friend.

The Wizards have called to try to set up a meeting. But Dunleavy is among the many coaches intrigued by the Clippers.

Donald Sterling has not sold the team. But coaches believe they need only assurances the Clippers will lock up Elton Brand and one other free agent (likely Lamar Odom) this summer to have a chance to build a winner. Even if the Clippers let Andre Miller, Corey Maggette and Michael Olowokandi walk, a new coach would have Brand and last season's rookies Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely inside, and Marko Jaric at the point, along with another high draft pick.

Dunleavy would rather be in Houston, even as a second choice. But for all the assumptions about Atlanta, don't be surprised if he takes the job in Los Angeles.


Talent abounds at pre-draft camp
-- The NBA pre-draft camp likely will be most remembered for the out-of-work coaches who flocked to Chicago to look for jobs. But it might have shown this draft to be deep with late first- and second-round players who could stick on NBA teams.
Pavel Podkolzine, a 7-5 center from Siberia, offered a private workout Friday that was impressive enough to start buzz that he could be a top-five pick. Troy Bell's shooting, Jameer Nelson's playmaking and Luke Walton's all-around play might have stood out the most.

Keith Bogans showed tremendous improvement from the Chicago showing two years ago that sent him back to Kentucky. Tennessee's Ron Slay drew attention for dropping 20 pounds under John Lucas.

"It was a good camp," Rockets director of player personnel Dennis Lindsey said. "There are a lot of guys with NBA-type bodies. A lot of times guys are in between positions. This time, guys projected with size and position pretty well."

A few shooters who could draw the Rockets' attention in the second round -- Kirk Penney of Wisconsin, Matt Carroll of Notre Dame and Kyle Korver of Creighton -- showed well, but as always, perimeter shooters did not get enough looks to judge much from the camp.


Walker improves workout
-- Now that Michael Jordan can spend his time gambling and golfing with Charles Barkley and Tiger Woods, he does not need Tim Grover any longer. With that in mind, he can send his longtime trainer to work with someone who does.
Antoine Walker has swelled into a slow, jump-shooting power forward, a description the Celtics hate but can no longer deny. Walker had become a Chicago pickup game partner with Jordan and has agreed to work with Grover.

"We're going to get back his explosiveness, decrease his body fat percentage and take care of his lower extremities," Grover said. "He needs to work on his legs to keep them strong for the full season."


Odds and ends
-- Patrick Ewing is interested in becoming an assistant coach under his former coach Jeff Van Gundy, especially if it means working with Yao Ming. But to make that move, he would have to choose to be a full-time, all-out assistant, complete with the usual marathons of tape work. Before coaching Van Gundy's way, Ewing likely will wait to see what Michael Jordan can offer. ... Former Rockets guard/forward Mario Elie attended the Chicago pre-draft camp to ostensibly announce his interest in becoming an assistant coach. Elie had looked into coaching one of the teams at the camp, but those spots were filled. ... With the path from the court, to an assistant coaching apprenticeship to a head coaching job shorter than ever, Terry Porter, Sam Mitchell and Avery Johnson are considered the next hot names to get head coaching positions.
Jonathan Feigen covers the NBA for the Chronicle. His notebook appears Sundays.