Paxson adds a pair to list of coaching candidates

Losing twice to the New York Knicks during the regular season was difficult for the Bulls to accept.

Now feeling the sting of losing coach Mike D'Antoni to the Knicks, the Bulls have expanded their coaching search. Two assistant coaches joining the interview list are Utah's Tyrone Corbin and the Lakers' Brian Shaw. More names could still be added.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday that the Bulls have already asked for permission to speak with Corbin.

The Lakers hold a 3-2 lead over Utah in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, with Game 6 tonight in Salt Lake City. So one of those two candidates will be available to talk soon.

Corbin, 45, starred at DePaul in the 1980s and is in his fourth season working under Jerry Sloan with the Jazz. He played for eight teams during a 15-year playing career in the NBA.

Shaw, 42, spent 14 years as an NBA player and has been on Phil Jackson's staff for three seasons.

Corbin and Shaw have been discussed by the Bulls since their coaching search began on April 17, but didn't join the short list until after the team missed out on D'Antoni, the former Phoenix Suns coach.

The Bulls still haven't set up a meeting with ex-Dallas coach Avery Johnson, who spent Wednesday night as a studio guest during TNT's playoff coverage.

Asked about the status of his coaching career during the broadcast, Johnson replied, "Right now I'm on a semi-vacation, taking it easy and we'll see what the future holds."

The Bulls are still expected to interview Johnson, although he's mentioned that sitting out next season is a possibility. The Bulls are also concerned about Johnson's reputation for being loud and demanding with his players. Some believe he is capable of making Scott Skiles seem stoic in comparison.

The other top candidates on the Bulls' wish list are also still working in the playoffs, Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau and Detroit assistant Michael Curry. Broadcaster Mark Jackson has already interviewed with Bulls general manager John Paxson.

Another Pistons assistant, Terry Porter, interviewed Thursday with Steve Kerr for the Suns' coaching vacancy.