AROUND THE NBA

Former NBA coaches Dick Versace and Chuck Daly became part of the senior management staff of the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Versace was made president of basketball operations. Billy Knight, the vice president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, was hired as general manager.

Daly, the former Detroit and Orlando coach, was made a senior advisor. He said he will operate “as a resource” south of the border.

New Grizzlies’ owner Michael Heisley put his stamp on the franchise with the hirings. The Chicago millionaire called it the beginning of an era.

The team’s housecleaning began Monday when interim coach Lionel Hollins was fired. Stu Jackson, president and general manager, announced his resignation Tuesday rather than waiting to be fired.

The new management team has a difficult task. The club struggled to a 22-60 record in 1999-2000 and lost an estimated $20 million. The Grizzlies have a five-year record of 78-300.

Recently, Heisley promised the team would win 25 to 30 games next season and be a playoff team the following year.