Johnson, Hollins head Silver Bandits finalists

Victoria Sun

Friday, July 7, 2000 | 10:22 a.m.

Dennis Johnson, Lionel Hollins and Barry Hecker have been identified as the three finalists for the Las Vegas Silver Bandits' head coaching job.

Although the team was expected to have a new coach in place a few weeks ago, Silver Bandits owner Jackie Robinson said the process was delayed to give Johnson and Hollins time to ponder other opportunities.

Johnson, a five-time NBA all-star with the Boston Celtics from 1983-90, also is a candidate to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Hollins, a Rancho High graduate, made his debut as a head coach this past season and guided the Vancouver Grizzlies to an 18-42 record after taking over for Brian Hill. Hollins is said to be entertaining other coaching offers in the NBA.

"We're in the final stages of hiring a head coach," Robinson said. "We're just waiting for their replies, and probably in two weeks we'll announce who the head coach will be.

"Primarily, I gave them X amount of time so they could have a fair amount of time to look at other NBA opportunities. We gave them ample time to pursue that, and at the end of that time we told them you have to tell us yes or no, so that we can then move on."

Which leaves Hecker.

Hecker started last season as a Silver Bandits assistant. He was promoted to interim head coach after Rolland Todd resigned on April 10.

Although Hecker, a former Clippers assistant coach and NBA coaching journeyman, did an admirable job with the team, the franchise's first choice would be Johnson or Hollins.

Robinson would not say which of the candidates he prefers.

"Each one of them has coached in the NBA and college," Robinson said. "They are at an age where they can relate to the young kids and they're also teachers which you need at this level.

"You need someone with a lot of energy and it doesn't hurt to have a coach with name recognition."

Hecker may be relegated to a Silver Bandits assistant role should either Johnson or Hollins become the head coach. Robinson said that he definitely wants Hecker back in some capacity.

Hollins said he spoke with Robinson on Wednesday about the job.

"I made Jackie a counter-offer," Hollins said. "I told him that I have a couple of teams that I'm looking at still, and I'm 90-95 percent sure that I would be coming to Las Vegas if the offer is right.

"But my first choice would be to stay in the NBA. I'm still waiting to hear back from other NBA teams. If the offer is right (from the Silver Bandits), I'd be willing to make a decision before hearing back from them."

Because each International Basketball League team still owns the rights to all of its players from last year (unless they have been waived or traded), Robinson hopes at least half of the Bandits players will be back.

There isn't a definite date yet, but Robinson expects the IBL draft to take place in August.

"There haven't been any roster moves yet," Robinson said. "We are starting to talk to some of the guys we want to have back.

"And as soon as we make the coaching change, we will be able to start shaping the roster."

The Silver Bandits reached the semifinals in the inaugural IBL playoffs after finishing 37-27 in the regular season.

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