Jeff

Van Gundy

While his name hasn’t been mentioned as regularly as those of Jeff Van Gundy and John Lucas in connection with the Rockets job, it appears quite clear that Silas has made a positive impression on the franchise’s decision-makers. Both he and Van Gundy reportedly met with Rockets decision-makers for the second time on Friday. There’s no reported timeline for a decision, but both are firmly in the mix. Silas was also a candidate for the Hawks head coaching vacancy in the spring of 2018, but Lloyd Pierce was the choice in Atlanta.

The Rockets were in talks with Tyronn Lue, but he officially inked a five-year deal with the Clippers today, so that takes one major player off the board. Mavs assistant, Stephen Silas, and Houston assistant, John Lucas are also in the running. The newly installed Rafael Stone will be making the final call here, but Daryl Morey will still be around in an advisory role, despite officially stepping down from his post on Thursday.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said recently that Tyronn Lue, who met with the Rockets on Monday, has been “gaining momentum,” and it appears to be down to either JVG or Lue. No matter which guy lands the job, they’ll inherit an ultra-small-ball lineup with very little financial wiggle-room to pivot to a different style of play.

The Clippers are also interested in Lue, and he has support from the players both in Los Angeles and Houston. The Rockets could attempt to extend an official head coaching offer to Lue before the Clippers complete their coaching search, but that’s unlikely to happen until they officially interview Van Gundy. Van Gundy is a favorite amongst Houston ownership, and being able to coach in Houston (and not uproot his family), is something that appeals to him. It sounds like we’ll have an official decision here relatively soon.

D’Antoni is out of contract now that Houston’s season has come to an end, and while he expressed hope that he’d be back that is no sure thing. In addition to needing to negotiate a new contract, D’Antoni may have other possibilities to consider as he was mentioned as a candidate for the currently open Pacers job. Should he not return to Houston, it’s possible that the Rockets will attempt to reunite with Van Gundy. Van Gundy coached Houston from 2003 to 2007, leading the team to three playoff appearances in his four years as head coach.

Tyronn Lue, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Brown and the incumbent interim coach Jacque Vaughn are all expected to interview for the position, with Lue reportedly being an early favorite. For what it’s worth, Tom Thibodeau is not currently being considered for the Brooklyn job, but he has been involved in a lot of rumors linking him to the Knicks.

Interim coach Mike Miller has done a solid job for the Knicks, posting a 13-19 record after David FIzdale went 4-18 in New York’s first 22 games. However, “incoming president Leon Rose is prepared to make a flashy coaching hire after the season,” reports Berman.

Van Gundy hasn’t said one way or the other whether or not he’d be willing to return as a coach next season after thriving in his current media role, but Adrian Wojnarowski reports those close to Van Gundy believe he is “open to considering a return to coaching for the right opportunity.” Denver’s George Karl is another candidate who has been “discussed” by the Clippers front office, though it sounds like that’s a long shot.

The Clippers are also gauging JVG’s interest in returning to the sidelines. Selfishly, we hope neither opportunity turns into a reality. Van Gundy is among the most entertaining and knowledgeable color analysts in the business. He’s been away from coaching since the 2006-07 season, when his Rockets lost in the first round of the playoffs after a 52-win season.

Van Gundy spent 11 years as an NBA head coach, having last coached back in 2006-07 with Houston. He has since been working as a TV analyst for ESPN. The roster JVG will coach will be compromised primarily of Development League and overseas American players. Once Team USA qualifies, Gregg Popovich will take over coaching the senior national team in the 2019 World Cup in China.