HoopsHype.com Rumors

Niki Bakouli: Biggest rumor the last two days in Greece? Michael Jordan is enjoying his honeymoon in the Greek Islands in a private yacht Twitter @Eurohoopsnet

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Greece, Yvette Prieto 

The Charlotte Bobcats have asked for and received permission to interview Los Angeles Lakers assistant Steve Clifford for their head-coaching job, a Lakers spokesman confirmed to the Observer. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Steve Clifford 

Clifford becomes the sixth known candidate to fill the opening created when the Bobcats fired Mike Dunlap last month. The others: Former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry and four assistants: Nate Tibbetts (Cleveland), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Jeff Hornacek (Utah) and Elston Turner (most recently with the Suns). Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Alvin Gentry, Jeff Hornacek, Elston Turner, Nate Tibbetts 

Miami Heat star LeBron James is named Most Valuable Player for the fourth time, league sources confirmed Friday. James has been voted MVP for the second straight season and for the fourth time in the past five years. He'll join Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain with at least four MVP awards. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell 

Jack, who drew interest from multiple teams during the trade deadline, is in the last year of his contract paying him $5 million this season. He is expected to be a fairly well sought after this offseason, especially with the postseason he’s having, as multiple teams are looking for a point guard. Multiple teams are looking for point guards — including Utah, Charlotte, Toronto and possibly Milwaukee (since Brandon Jennings is a restricted free agent). Plus, Jack has proven to be a difference-maker off the bench, which has intrigued multiple teams that already have a point guard, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Contra Costa Times

Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Brandon Jennings, Jarrett Jack 

he list of known candidates for the Charlotte Bobcats head-coaching job is at five and probably growing. Various news sources have identified four current NBA assistants, plus Shelby native Alvin Gentry, who has been a head coach with four NBA teams. The assistants (in alphabetical order): Jeff Hornacek (Utah Jazz), Kelvin Sampson (Houston Rockets), Nate Tibbetts (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Elston Turner (most recently with the Phoenix Suns). Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Alvin Gentry, Jeff Hornacek, Elston Turner, Nate Tibbetts 

Marc J. Spears: Long-time NBA assistant Elston Turner slated to interview with the Bobcats next Wednesday in Charlotte, a source told Y! Sports. Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Elston Turner 

Gery Woelfel: Milwaukee isn't only team keenly interested in Kelvin Sampson. Charlotte, Detroit and Philadelphia also have him on their radar. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Sloan said he hasn’t heard anything from Milwaukee, Charlotte, Philadelphia or Detroit, teams that officially have jobs open. “I’ve not aware of any (interest from those teams),’’ Sloan said. “I haven’t said hello to anybody.’’ Sulia

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Jerry Sloan 

Gery Woelfel: Bobcats could save moving expenses by hiring Kelvin Sampson, who already has a home in Charlotte. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Injuries, Kelvin Sampson 

Coaching industry sources also believe that Bobcats owner Michael Jordan will go after McMillan and perhaps CSKA Moscow assistant Quin Snyder. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Quin Snyder 

David Aldridge: Former Suns coach Alvin Gentry will interview w/Bobcats next week. Also confirm Yahoo! report that CHA will also talk w/Elston Turner. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Alvin Gentry, Elston Turner 

Marc J. Spears: Longtime NBA asst. coach Elston Turner will interview for Bobcats head coach job, a source said. CHA interviews expected to start next week. Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Elston Turner 

Sampson is well-regarded within the Bucks organization and the Bucks will aggressively pursue him along with Van Gundy, sources said. Sampson spent two seasons as an assistant with former Bucks coach Scott Skiles, and he knows the organization well. Sampson has drawn significant interest as a head-coaching candidate this spring. Charlotte will interview him soon, and Philadelphia and Detroit also could reach out to meet with him, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Marc Stein: Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson is already a candidate in Charlotte and will be among candidates to replace Jim Boylan in Milwaukee Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Jim Boylan 

The Charlotte Bobcats have requested permission to talk with Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson about their vacant head coaching position, a person with knowledge of the discussions said today. Houston Chronicle

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Rick Bonnell: Another name to keep in mind: Lakers assistant Steve Clifford (strong defensive coach). As of this morning Bobcats hadn't called LA. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Steve Clifford 

Jonathan Feigen: Charlotte Bobcats have asked for permission to interview Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson, source said. Sampson, an NC native, very ready. Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Charlotte has asked for permission to talk to Cavs assistant coach Nate Tibbetts Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Nate Tibbetts 

The Bobcats place a priority on player-development and Tibbetts got high marks in that regard from Cavs All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. The day Irving was named rookie of the year last spring, he singled out Tibbetts for the constant attention and advice Tibbetts delivered. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Kyrie Irving, Nate Tibbetts