Moncrief on Raptors' wish list

[madape]

By BILL HARRIS, TORONTO SUN


Sidney Moncrief does not know Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald personally.

That's one reason why Moncrief is flattered that Grunwald wants to talk with him about the team's vacant head-coaching position.


"I don't know Glen, but I know of him," said Moncrief, a Dallas Mavericks assistant coach whose club played the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western final last night. "I've heard Glen has received permission to speak with me and I take it as a real compliment."

It is Moncrief's understanding that Grunwald wants to do some of his interviewing next week in Chicago during the league's annual pre-draft camp. Grunwald currently is in Florida, where most of the Raptors are taking part in a voluntary conditioning camp.

Moncrief, 45, is a legendary former NBA player who retired in 1991. He spent all but one of his 11 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaged 15.6 points per game in his career and was an all-NBA first-teamer in 1982-83.

What Moncrief really was known for, however, was his defence. He was the NBA's defensive player of the year in 1982-83 and '83-84.

Asked if that means he is a defensive specialist as a coach, Moncrief said: "I like to consider myself a fundamentally conscious coach, both offensively and defensively. One thing I really have learned with the Mavericks is how to be creative defensively. You have to be when you're in the Western Conference, because there are so many great teams out here."

The Mavs seemingly have an army of assistant coaches and support staff. Despite the fact Moncrief is behind head coach Don Nelson and assistants Donnie Nelson and Del Harris on the depth chart, he feels he has learned enough to take on more responsibility.

"The Mavs have allowed me to have a hand in everything," Moncrief said.

BRIEFLY: New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd, who sprained his ankle in Game 4 of the Eastern final on Saturday, was walking without a limp yesterday, though the club is keeping him out of practice as a precaution. "My ankle is fine," Kidd said ... Larry Brown, who resigned Monday as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, was interviewed by the Houston Rockets.

[COOLJAZZ]

Good article. I hope he doesent leave. If he does, I wish him well.