[New York Post] BAD-NEWS VAN HITS GARDEN

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/62951.htm

BAD-NEWS VAN HITS GARDEN

By MARC BERMAN

February 5, 2006 -- The Knick universe fell apart when Jeff Van Gundy left in 2001. But as he returns to the Garden today with his Rockets, his world is falling apart, too.
For the first time in his NBA career, eight seasons as head coach, six years as assistant, Van Gundy will miss the playoffs. Battered by early-season injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets are 17-29, last in the Southwest Division.

"No one's immune to losing," Van Gundy told The Post. "It's very humbling."

Van Gundy was his usual dark self, saying he thinks his job should be on the line.

"If you're losing as much as we've lost, your job should be in jeopardy," Van Gundy said. "Whether it is or not, I have no idea. Should it be? Absolutely. It's not about the job you do. Your job is to win."

Van Gundy has been the Garden's grim reaper the past two seasons. After his Rockets emasculated the Knicks two seasons ago, prompting "Fire Chaney" chants, Don Chaney was dismissed two days later. Last January, Lenny Wilkens was asked to step down 30 minutes after the Rockets won on Scott Padgett's buzzer-beater.

"More a coincidence," Van Gundy said.



Van Gundy, 248-172 as Knick coach, is still revered by New York fans, still keeps his home in Westchester. On Patrick Ewing Night, he got a vigorous standing ovation.

"[Today's] result doesn't mean more than other games," Van Gundy said. "The team we play means more to me because they gave me an opportunity professionally that no one else would've given me. I'm still a huge Knick fan, always will be.

"When I was there, I really enjoyed coaching the teams we had because of the fans," Van Gundy continued. "I relate very well to their passion. Even when they were heckling me and booing us as a group, I was always appreciative of the passion."