The Vultures Circle Scott Skiles' Corpse

I apologize if the headline is too graphic, but that's what comes to mind when I read paragraphs like this in the Chicago Tribune:

[John] Paxson made it clear that he was unlikely to pick a permanent successor this season, or as permanent as a coach can be in the NBA these days. Sources say inquiries have already been made on behalf of Rick Carlisle and Larry Brown, each a former coach of the year, and Paul Westphal, who's back on an NBA bench as a Dallas assistant.

Granted, that article was penned by noted rumormonger Sam Smith, but it's not entirely surprising. I've already campaigned for Carlisle to get the job, and so long as Brown is alive we shouldn't be surprised that he wants to return to the bench.

But seeing Paul Westphal's name really took me back. I assumed for a moment that Smith was mistaking Westphal for Paul Westhead, who guided the WNBA Phoenix Mercury to a title last year before returning to the NBA, but then I remembered that Westhead is in Seattle. After some quick poking around, I saw Westphal was indeed with the Mavs (which explains his picture above with Avery Johnson).

What makes me so intrigued by him? A touch of nostalgia, for sure, but he had the Suns (and later the Sonics) running and gunning in the early 90's long before Steve Nash was even in the league. I have no idea if he's the best all-around candidate, but his offensive acumen would be a welcome addition to a squad that quite possibly possesses the worst offense in the entire NBA.