Bernie Bickerstaff reportedly going to Bullets

Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Bullets general manager Wes Unseld, in Cleveland for the All-Star game, told The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News that he examined a contract from Bickerstaff's agent, Bill Pollak, on Sunday and agreed to the terms.

"We plan to announce something (today)," Unseld said.

Bickerstaff, who will turn 53 on Tuesday, was an assistant coach with Washington from 1973-1985, helping the Bullets win the 1978 NBA title.

He coached Seattle for five seasons before joining the Nuggets in 1990 as president of basketball operations and general manager.

He took over as Denver's head coach near the end of the 1994-95 season.

The Nuggets went 35-47 in their only full season under Bickerstaff, and were 4-9 when he stepped down Nov. 26.

Denver is 12-23 under Dick Motta.

The Bullets also have struggled, and Unseld fired coach Jim Lynam prior to Washington's game in Denver on Wednesday night.

Charlie Lyons, president of Nuggets owner Ascent Entertainment, said he will begin searching for Bickerstaff's replacement immediately.

"We won't sit long on this thing," he said.

Lyons would not identify specific candidates, but they reportedly include Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, former Nuggets coach Dan Issel and former Charlotte general manger and coach Allan Bristow.

The Post reported Lyons has a tentative meeting set with Bristow on Tuesday, and the News said Denver is seeking permission to talk to Kupchak.