Eric Musselman Turns Down Russian Job

European basketball teams often have a tough time convincing quality American players to venture overseas to work. The same can be said for getting coaches.

Eric Musselman became the second former NBA head coach to turn down a job offer from Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia.

Earlier this month, former Bulls and Hornets coach Tim Floyd rejected a similar offer from the same team.

Musselman, who's had head coaching stints with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, told Spartak on Saturday that he would not take the job for the coming season.

"European basketball always has been very intriguing to me,'' Musselman said Saturday night. "And this opportunity was a great one. It was a tough decision.''

Musselman has been around the NBA, as an assistant or head coach, since his father, Bill Musselman, coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1989-1991. Eric was head coach of the Warriors was 2002-2004 and the Kings in 2006-07. The Warriors improved to 38 victories in his first season, which was 17 more than they had won the year before he arrived. For his career, he has a 108-138 record.

Spartak St. Petersburg is the same team that recently signed rookie point guard Levance Fields to a two-year deal. Fields, who helped the University of Pittsburgh to the NCAA Tournament, was scouted extensively at the Orlando Professional Summer League last week.