Nuggets interview Portland assistant Vanterpool for head coaching job

Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported this morning that the Nuggets have formally interviewed Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool for their vacant head coaching job.

While Vanterpool isn’t considered a frontrunner to re-place Brian Shaw, Denver general manager Tim Connelly’s discussion with Vanterpool in recent days is reflective of the respect Vanterpool’s earned in three seasons as an NBA coach.

Vanterpool joins a growing list of former head and assistant coaches who have interviewed with the Nuggets including interim coach Melvin Hunt, Mike D’Antoni, Mike Malone and Don Newman.

Vanterpool, 42 played in the Continental Basketball Association and professionally overseas, most notably in Russia for CSKA Moscow, where he was later an assistant coach for three seasons under current San Antonio Spurs assistant Ettore Messina.

After coaching in Russia, Vanterpool was hired by the Oklahoma City Thunder as director of player personnel in 2010 and later joined Portland as an assistant in 2012. He interviewed for the Philadelphia 76ers’ job in 2013.

Vanterpool is largely credited with the development of Portland All-Star guard Damian Lillard and is one of Portland coach Terry Stotts’ most trusted tacticians.