The Phoenix Suns recently asked and received permission from the Lakers to talk with assistant coach Steve Clifford about their vacant head-coaching position, according to Lakers spokesman John Black.
According to league sources, Clifford also interviewed with the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday and with the Milwaukee Bucks last Monday for their respective head-coaching spots. No offers were made and no follow-up interviews have been immediately scheduled.
Former Lakers coach Mike Brown hired Clifford, and was one of five assistants retained when D’Antoni took over following a 1-4 start. Clifford first started out in the NBA ranks as an advance scout for the New York Knicks (2000-01) before moving up as an assistant coach (2001-03) under Don Nelson. He then worked as an assistant for Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets (2003-2007) and for Stan Van Gundy with the Orlando Magic (2007-2012).
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