Report: Rivers Is Magic’s Choice

Doc Rivers has reached agreement on a four-year, $8-million deal to become coach of the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN and the Orlando Sentinel.

The network said the contract is guaranteed.

“We’re still going through the coaching process,” Joel Glass, the Magic’s communications director, told the Associated Press on Friday.

He said Rivers hasn’t been signed and that the team expects no announcement through the weekend.

The Sentinel had reported that Rivers met for two days with Magic officials and would be hired as coach on Monday.

Rivers, who played 13 years in the NBA, is a analyst working with Turner Sports.

Rivers would be the second youngest coach in the league, behind New York’s Jeff Van Gundy. Both are 37.

The Magic job opened when Chuck Daly, the coach for the last two seasons, retired after a 40-year career in pro and college coaching.

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A war of words replaced the war on the basketball court as the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers waited to resume the Eastern Conference finals.

A day after Van Gundy complained about the Pacers’ play and the officiating, the Pacers responded by saying the Knicks should shut up and play basketball.

“There’s no whining on our part. Everything is coming from their camp,” said Reggie Miller, accused by Van Gundy of taking cheap shots at the Knicks.

Van Gundy also accused Rik Smits of taking a cheap shot and claimed referees are not allowing his point guards to play defense against Indiana’s Mark Jackson.

The New York coach said he had called NBA vice president Rod Thorn about the play in the opening two games of the best-of-seven series.

Miller wasn’t impressed.

“If they’re going to call Rod Thorn and beg for calls, they need to look at themselves in the mirror. They’re the ones that are doing all the hitting and the holding,” Miller said. “We’re just trying to play basketball. . . . It’s too late in the season to be crying now.”

The series is tied 1-1 with Game 3 in New York today. The Knicks will be without center Patrick Ewing, gone for the rest of the season because of a partially torn Achilles’ tendon.

“They have the advantage. They’re the ones who won one here. We’re trying to come into the Garden and win one,” Miller said. “I don’t understand where they’re coming from. . . . The good thing about is we play [tonight] and everything will resolve itself.”

Indiana Coach Larry Bird said Van Gundy’s comments were directed at officials.

“He’s trying to work the officials, which is good. It’s all part of the game,” he said. “We say things how we feel. Obviously, he’s not too happy right now. . . . It’s up to us to just go there and play basketball.”

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The Washington Wizards apparently want former Detroit Piston guard Isiah Thomas to be their coach and owner Abe Pollin has reportedly become involved in talks with the former all-star.

Sources close to Thomas said he is very interested in the Wizard job. It is unclear if Thomas, 38, has been offered the position or if terms have been discussed.

Thomas, who led the Pistons to NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, was a minority owner and vice president/general manager of the Toronto Raptors from 1994-97 and has worked as a broadcaster for NBC. He also has been in negotiations to purchase the Continental Basketball Assn.

It is unknown if Thomas would pursue ownership of the CBA if he became a coach or if the NBA would allow him to be involved in both leagues.

If a deal cannot be reached with Thomas, Piston assistant Gar Heard is believed to be Washington’s next choice to replace Jim Brovelli, who took over the coaching duties on an interim basis April 5 after Bernie Bickerstaff was fired.