ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Mario Elie is one of the candidates to be interviewed this week.

I'm getting excited about the Mario Elie possibility. Why? Because the other three candidates sources tell Stein will sit down with the Maloofs this week are P.J. Carlesimo, John Whisenant, and Eric Musselman.

Also, Stein reiterates Mario's strong relationship with Ron Artest. This should be a huge factor – a guy who knows Ron-Ron, or a guy who has seen him on TV? Elie's relationship suggests he won't do anything to piss Artest off nor will he sit by and let Artest run wild on the court.

Stein focuses on Carlesimo, and even gets a confirmation that the Maloofs want to talk to him from the jersey-wearing brother himself. Read the whole article for casual mentions of Sactown Royalty favorite Stan Van Gundy and Marc Iavaroni. Also, Maloof dismisses the idea of Larry Brown.

More reasons to be excited about Elie?

Alright, so where does Mario Elie figure into y'alls equation?