Splitter and Blazers general manager Joe Cronin addressed the team Thursday afternoon, hours after Billups' stunning arrest. Neither had slept more than a few hours when news of the arrest started spreading. Splitter told ESPN that he went to bed around 2 a.m. after watching tape of the Blazers' season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was woken up shortly after 6 a.m. when the news started to circulate. A few hours later, Splitter was in Cronin's office, being asked to take over as interim coach. Lead assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren had previous head coaching experience, but team sources said Bjorkgren had told Cronin that Splitter was the best choice to take over, and Bjorkgren felt he could best help the team in his current role, running the defense.

ESPN

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Blazers assistant Nate Bjorkgren recommended Tiago Splitter for interim head coach role

Reporting by HoopsHype / Hoops Hype

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