Poll: Who should the Clippers hire as their next coach?

Most NBA executives said the Clippers are rightfully being diligent in their search for a coach to replace Vinny Del Negro.

Still, the executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter agree that it has been and may continue to be a laborious process for the Clippers to hire a coach.

But the Clippers’ list for a potential coach has gotten shorter, with Indiana associate head coach Brian Shaw and former NBA coach and ESPN basketball analyst Jeff Van Gundy looming as the top two choices. The Clippers do have interest in other coaches as well, which is all a part of the diligence.

Now, how about having the fans weigh in on the Clippers’ search by voicing their opinions in a poll on whom they’d like to see as the next coach?

Here is a list of possibilities:

Shaw – He is regarded as one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA, who many think will be a very good head coach when he gets his chance. He has played and coached under former Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. Shaw has won three championships with the Lakers as a player and two as an assistant.

Jeff Van Gundy – He has a 57.5% (430-318) winning-percentage over 11 years as a coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. He has taken his teams to the playoffs nine out of 11 times, with his Knicks team losing in the 1999 NBA Finals to San Antonio.

Lionel Hollins – He just led his Memphis Grizzlies team to the Western Conference finals, where it was swept, 4-0, by the Spurs. Hollins is considered one of the better coaches in the NBA, who has a system he puts in that is known to be successful. But the Grizzlies haven’t given the Clippers or any other team permission to speak with Hollins, a NBA executive said.

Alvin Gentry – Gentry, a former Phoenix and Clippers coach, has had informal discussions with the Clippers, two executives said. He took his Suns team to the 2010 conference finals, where they lost to the Lakers.

Mike Malone – He’s the top assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. He’s a candidate to become the head coach with the Sacramento Kings. He also was an assistant coach for the New Orleans Hornets when Chris Paul played there.

Nate McMillan – He’s a former Portland coach who is known to be defensive-minded.

Byron Scott – He’s a former Cleveland Cavaliers coach who coached Paul during his first few seasons with the Hornets.

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