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Not surprisingly, Cheeks didn't get too excited when he learned he had again been named one of 12 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, marking the first time since 2005 that he's gotten this far. "You know what?" Cheeks said. "I'm just happy to be a finalist. Whatever happens after that is gravy. "If I got in the Hall of Fame, it'd be great. It's just huge. When you think of Hall of Fame, you think of greatness. I don't want to take anything away from myself, but I know I was the beneficiary of a lot of players that I played with - Doc (Julius Erving), Moses (Malone), Andrew (Toney) and people like that. They helped me become who I became." phillyburbs.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Maurice Cheeks, Coaching, Hall of Fame 

Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, who was Cheeks' backup in Philly as a rookie in Cheeks' final season here (1988-89), believes Cheeks belongs in the Hall. "He's one of the best point guards ever to play the game," Brooks said. "He should be in the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, he will one day." Then Brooks, the NBA Coach of the Year last season, told the story of getting a measure of revenge on Cheeks, then an 11-year veteran, for having to carry Cheeks' uniform around on road trips as a rookie in 1988-89. "Little does he know - he knows now - but the last game I took the uniform and I kept it," Brooks said. "I still have it. Ten years later, I had him sign it. Back then, if you wanted your uniform, you had to pay for it. So he doesn't even know he got deducted whatever it was - $175 - from his check." phillyburbs.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Maurice Cheeks, Coaching, Hall of Fame 

The Thunder will not, however, lose Maurice Cheeks to the Bulls as well. Cheeks, who arrived last summer, for awhile was rumored to be a candidate for both the head coaching job and a possibility for Thibodeau's staff. Thibodeau even mentioned Cheeks by name in his introductory press conference last week. But Cheeks will remain with the Thunder for the 2010-11 season. Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Maurice Cheeks, Coaching 

Thibodeau has served as an assistant with seven teams over 18 NBA seasons, finishing in the top-10 defensively 15 times. But sources said Thibodeau wowed Forman and executive vice president John Paxson during an interview in Los Angeles on the eve of Game 1 of the Finals with creative offensive ideas centered on drive-and-kick and pick-and-roll schemes, as well as thoughts on player development. Asked about making the move up from his longtime assistant's role, Thibodeau said, "The big thing when you become a head coach is you're making final decisions. As an assistant, you're making suggestions." Sources have indicated Thibodeau will retain assistant Pete Myers and bring back Ron Adams, who worked for the Bulls under Scott Skiles but had spent the past two seasons with the Thunder. Other candidates to fill Thibodeau's staff include Andy Greer and Eric Musselman, whose late father, Bill, hired Thibodeau for his first NBA job with Minnesota. Thunder assistant Maurice Cheeks is a longshot because he has a year remaining on his deal. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Maurice Cheeks 

Another order of business for the Bulls is assembling a coaching staff. Former Bulls assistant Ron Adams is basically a lock to join Thibodeau. Longtime Bulls assistant Pete Myers and player-development coach Randy Brown will stay, while advance scout Mike Wilhelm will be welcomed back if he's interested. Maurice Cheeks is a possibility to join the staff, but he might be contractually tied to Oklahoma City. Former Warriors and Kings head coach Eric Musselman has ties to Thibodeau because Musselman's father, Bill, originally brought Thibodeau to the NBA with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Maurice Cheeks