Former Houston coach Rick Adelman discussed the Timberwolves coaching job with President of Basketball Operations David Kahn at some length by telephone last weekend but didn't visit Minnesota as scheduled, according to sources with knowledge of the team's search to replace the fired Kurt Rambis.
He is among a list of candidates that include Don Nelson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Mike Woodson and Terry Porter. All four interviewed in person with Kahn, owner Glen Taylor and in some cases the team's minority owners last week.
The Wolves also are expected to interview Larry Brown and perhaps one or two other coaches in this first phase of interviewing.
Adelman's decision to speak by phone rather than in person likely means he has some interest in the job, but just how much -- or what factors he might be weighing -- is the big question.
If he indeed is willing to take the job, he likely will come to Minnesota at some point to meet Taylor at Target Center or at Taylor's Mankato home or southern Minnesota farm, as other candidates have done.
JERRY ZGODA
