[Rockets.com] JVG Q&A

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Rockets.com Exclusive: Q & A With Jeff Van Gundy

In sports, few jobs are as demanding as head coach. The sporting industry is a cutthroat business that, despite officials saying otherwise, often does live and die by wins or losses. Jeff Van Gundy is entering his third season as head coach of the Rockets, and his tenure thus far has been successful. In his initial season with Houston, Van Gundy guided the team to a 45-37 record and their first playoff appearance since the 1998-1999 NBA campaign. Last season, Van Gundy led the Rockets to a 51-31 record, their first 50-win showing since the 1996-1997 season. During his two years, Van Gundy has made the Rockets into a defensive powerhouse, as the team has ranked among the top five in NBA defensive field goal percentage and points allowed. Rockets.com sat down with Van Gundy for an exclusive interview to talk basketball and coaching.

1. During the offseason, what is your approach , and generally what do you look for as head coach?

Generally, there is very little offseason anymore. It’s just one continuous season. Obviously, the draft and free-agent signings are important. Keeping your salary under the luxury tax (is important), as well as making sure your returning guys are in the best possible shape they can be in when they come back to you.

2. As far as the player workouts, a lot of them have come and worked out voluntarily. What does that say about the team?

I think that hard work in general doesn’t guarantee anything. But without having players work at their craft, it guarantees you that you’ll have no success. Our guys, for the most part, are professional. I think we’ll be ready to start practice on (October) 3rd and guys will be in good shape.

3. As a head coach, who were some of your influences as far as philosophy and basketball teaching?

My father would be one. Obviously my brother (Miami Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy). All the guys I played for along the way, and the people I’ve worked for as well. Most notably, Rick Pitino and Pat Riley. Philosophically, I really admire Bill Parcells. I’ve read a lot about him and I like how he’s structured his team.

4. What has been your greatest moment as head coach?

You know what, I don’t look at it like that. There are good moments and bad moments, and then there’s in-between. Some of the great moments would be some times in practice where either somebody got something (instruction-wise), or something could be humorous. It’s not like any one win, or anything like that.

5. What is your goal for the season, and what would have to occur for the season to be considered successful?

Well, again, it depends on your vantage point. I think everybody can judge a season a different way, whether it’s a player, a coach, a general manager, or a fan. That’s why I don’t get caught up in all that. The goal each day, every day, day by day is just to work to try to strive to be great that day. Then hope to make incremental progress so that you can be as good as you possibly can. I’m more focused on the process than the end result.

6. As a head coach, when it comes to basketball, what is your greatest fear?

I don’t know if “fear” is a good word. Obviously, for a team, unavoidable injury is hard to deal with. Great players on the opposing teams are hard to deal with. But if you can just focus on what you can control, then you’ll play as up to your potential as possible, and really that’s the only thing that you can control or worry about.

7. In your perspective, what wins basketball games?

There’s a lot that goes into it. Talent, chemistry, coaching, depth, being injury-free. I think the culture and environment of the team have to be solid. Not everyone has to play the same way or have the same style but you have to be solid and efficient in what you do.

8. When it comes to the strain and unforgiving nature of coaching, what drives and motivates you to wake up every day and do what you do?

Well, sometimes you’re not (motivated). I think that’s what separates people and their jobs. If you only perform well on those days that you feel your best, you’ll probably be very inconsistent at whatever job you have. It’s no different in athletics. What sets people apart are those people who can perform their best even when they’re not feeling their best.

9. What are your thoughts on Stromile Swift and Derek Anderson? How do you think they’ll impact the team?

I don’t know how I feel about them and I don’t know how they’ll impact. We’ll find out.

10. When your career as Rockets head coach comes to its close, how would you like to be remembered as a basketball coach by the city and fans of Houston?

I don’t think about legacies or stuff like that. That’s for other people to decide.

11. What type of player do you have to be to play for Jeff Van Gundy?

Well, I don’t think you have to be any certain type of player, but I have found out who I coach well and what types of players I don’t coach well. You find out along the way that not every player is for you as a coach and that you’re not for every player. I like guys who love the game, are passionate about winning, have gotten over themselves (ego-wise), and want to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a long year, and when you enjoy the people you work with, it makes the time a lot more enjoyable.

12. As a man of loyalty, trust, and honor, you demand the same of your team. How do those values contribute to success on the basketball court?

Well, unfortunately, this idea of “loyalty,” it’s different from a family, obviously. You don’t trade, cut, or hold out on family members, so the business of basketball sometimes gets in the way of the game of basketball. But when you are finally there, chemistry is hard to define but easy to see. Chemistry does have a lot to do with those intangibles (loyalty, trust, and honor). That goes a long way toward being a deciding factor, especially when teams and players in this league, except for a few of them, are very similar in ability.