Dunleavy Agrees To Take Reins Of Temperamental Trail Blazers

Mike Dunleavy, who has known great success and crushing failure in six seasons as an NBA coach, was hired Tuesday to coach the young, talented and sometimes temperamental Portland Trail Blazers.

“Of all the jobs that were possibilities this year, this is by far the greatest opportunity,” Dunleavy said. “The reason I’m here is I want to win a championship.”

Dunleavy had a 208-284 record as a coach, first in two winning years with the Los Angeles Lakers, then in four losing seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he was coach and general manager. He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in his first season as a head coach, but was 25-57 in 1995-96, his last as coach at Milwaukee. He served as general manager for the Bucks last season.

Former Trail Blazers coach P.J. Carlesimo said coach Rick Pitino has not offered him the general manager’s job with the Boston Celtics. “Rick hasn’t talked to me, but as usual in the NBA that doesn’t stop the rumor-mill,” Carlesimo said.

The Orlando Magic have floated a contract offer estimated at five years, $30 million to Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, expecting a response by this weekend.