Doug Collins, Jeff Van Gundy and Avery Johnson, among the main candidates to coach the New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets are considering several candidates to replace Jeff Bower, who stepped down as the team head coach. The three high-profile names on the top of the list are Doug Collins (former Bulls and Pistons coach, now a TV analyst since 2003), Avery Johnson (former Mavericks coach until 2008) and Jeff Van Gundy (former Knicks and Rockets coach, also a TV analyst since 2007). Other names on the list are former Nets coach Lawrence Frank, and current assistants Dwane Casey (Mavericks), Tom Thibbeau (Celtics), Monty Williams (Blazers) and Mike Budenholzer (Spurs)

SOURCE: ESPN

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New Jersey Nets, considering for the head coach job Jeff Van Gundy, Avery Johnson... and Ettore Messina

The New Jersey Nets are already planning next season, and looking for a new head coach to replace current GM and interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe. Avery Johnson and Jeff Van Gundy are the two main candidates, but the new owner, Mikhail Prohkorov, is reported to be interested in hiring current Real Madrid coach Ettore Messina, who worked for the Russian tycoon in CSKA Moscow.

SOURCES: New York Daily News, SNY

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