Coach Question Mark

Well, it seems like everyone's got a favorite candidate to coach the Sonics. I'm still holding out for Lenny (c'mon, he's only 90!), but here's what sane people are thinking:

The Seattle SuperSonics have told prospective candidates for their coaching vacancy that they have trimmed their list of potential replacements for Nate McMillan to Marc Iavaroni, current assistant Bob Weiss and at least one other person, sources said.

A third candidate is thought to be Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, whom Sonics general manager Rick Sund contacted in the past few days to inquire about Izzo’s interest.

Also, the Sonics have let it be known that they are going to be cost-conscious, which would seemingly rule out coaches such as Flip Saunders and Doug Collins, who would command larger salaries because of their NBA experience.

That said, it seems as if Iavaroni, an assistant to Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni and a close friend of Sonics CEO Wally Walker, is the front-runner for the job. Iavaroni was likely to get the Portland Trail Blazers job if McMillan didn’t take it.

from the Tribune

Meanwhile, the real brains behind the Sonics, Danny "Da Fort" Fortson, says his pick is Bob "The Original Wheedle" Weiss:

"He'd be my No. 1 vote," forward Danny Fortson said yesterday during a telephone interview. "He's well-deserving. He's paid his dues. I think a lot of us can relate to him. ... Now, it might not happen for him, but I'd be very comfortable with Bob Weiss as my coach."

Weiss, a member of the first Sonics team in the 1967-68 season, has strong ties to the franchise, has detailed knowledge of the players and favors the up-tempo offense the Sonics have adopted.

from The Times

So, what do you think? Weiss? Izzo? Iavaronionioni? How about Nussbaums's darkhorse, Eric Musselman? Did I mention Lenny?