Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 11, 1990                   TAG: 9007110230
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SEATTLE                                LENGTH: Medium

BICKERSTAFF QUITS POST WITH SONICS

There was no immediate confirmation from the Nuggets, who have been searching for a general manager for three months. Bickerstaff reportedly was attending baseball's All-Star Game in Chicago Tuesday night as a guest of Nuggets managing general partner Peter Bynoe and team president Carl Scheer.

Bickerstaff, 46, resigned as the Sonics' head coach May 15 to move into the front office. He was replaced on the bench by assistant coach K.C. Jones.

Sonics president Bob Whitsitt granted Bickerstaff and the Nuggets permission last week to discuss the general manager's job.

Seattle released a statement Tuesday night saying Bickerstaff would take the position with the Nuggets and that no decision had been made about replacing him.

"You always hate to see good people leave your organization," Whitsitt said. "This is a great opportunity for Bernie - to be an NBA general manager. We are always happy for our employees when they are recognized and presented with such opportunities. We don't stand in their way."

Scheer had said Monday that he would meet formally with Bickerstaff to discuss the job "sometime in the next few days."

Bickerstaff had said he wanted to make a decision by Tuesday, but Scheer said such a timetable was "a little ambitious" and that he did not expect an immediate announcement.

The Nuggets have been searching for a general manager to oversee their basketball operations since April, when assistant coach Allan Bristow rejected the job and chose to become vice president of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets.

Denver has considered nearly a dozen candidates, including John Nash, who accepted a similar position with the Washington Bullets, and Georgetown University coach John Thompson, who declined a five-year contract reportedly worth more than $6 million.

Bickerstaff coached the Sonics from 1985-90, compiling a 202-208 record with playoff appearances in 1987, '88 and '89. The Sonics finished 41-41 last season but did not make the playoffs.

Keywords:
BASKETBALL