Van Gundy fired by Rockets after four seasons Associated Press Updated: May 18, 2007, 2:32 PM ET Comment Email Print HOUSTON -- Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was fired Friday, less than two weeks after Houston made yet another first-round playoff exit. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Jeff Van Gundy was ultimately done in by his inability to get the Rockets to be more than a first-round playoff team. The Rockets went 52-30 this season but lost to Utah in seven games, raising the possibility Van Gundy was going to resign or be dismissed. This was the Rockets' third first-round loss in four seasons under Van Gundy. Van Gundy had one nonguaranteed year left on his contract, meaning the team held the option to retain him. The team reportedly has contacted Rick Adelman, the former coach of Portland, Golden State and Sacramento. General manager Daryl Morey scheduled an afternoon news conference. The firing comes days after Morey took over for the retiring Carroll Dawson following the Rockets' playoff elimination. The Rockets said in a statement they talked with Van Gundy during a "prolonged negotiating period," and he was offered a position with the team as a senior consultant. "He asked for, and was granted, additional time to evaluate his situation with the agreement that we would begin looking into other candidates," Morey said. "During that process it became clear that Jeff did not want to continue in any capacity with the team other than as head coach." Van Gundy led the Rockets to a 182-146 record in four seasons. But Houston went 7-12 in three postseason appearances and more was expected from teams anchored by All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. McGrady dropped to 0-6 in playoff series when the Rockets lost to Utah, which took advantage of Golden State's first-round upset of Dallas and advanced to the Western Conference finals by beating the Warriors in five games. Van Gundy now may be headed back to one of his old jobs. He was scheduled to work as a guest analyst for ESPN on Friday night's playoff game between Phoenix and San Antonio. Van Gundy was working in television when the Rockets hired him before the 2003-04 season. Before that, Van Gundy coached the New York Knicks for seven seasons, leading them to the NBA finals in 1999. He joined the Rockets as the 10th head coach in franchise history in 2003. Van Gundy's career coaching record is 430-318, but only 44-44 in the postseason. Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Van Gundy fired by Rockets after four seasons ESPN.com news services HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was fired Friday, less than two weeks after the team made yet another first-round playoff exit. The Rockets went 52-30 last season but lost to Utah in seven games, prompting speculation that Van Gundy was going to step down or be fired. It was the Rockets' third first-round loss in four seasons under Van Gundy. Van Gundy had one non-guaranteed year left on his contract, meaning the team held the option to retain him. "First and foremost we want to thank Jeff for his tireless efforts here with the team over the past four seasons," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said in a statement. "Jeff built the team into a top defensive club and played a crucial part in helping mold this team into a playoff contender. "Since the end of the postseason, we have had numerous conversations with Jeff about his interest in proceeding as the head coach. He asked for, and was granted, additional time to evaluate his situation with the agreement that we would begin looking into other candidates. During that process it became clear that Jeff did not want to continue in any capacity with the team other than as head coach." According to Morey, Van Gundy requested and was offered the opportunity to stay within the organization in a senior consultant capacity. The 45-year-old Van Gundy led the Rockets to a 182-146 record in four seasons. But Houston went 7-12 in three postseason appearances and more was expected from teams anchored by All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. McGrady dropped to 0-6 in playoff series when the Rockets lost to Utah. Van Gundy was working in television when the Rockets hired him before the 2003-04 season. Before that, Van Gundy coached the New York Knicks for seven seasons, leading them to the NBA finals in 1999. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2874873
So lets get this straight. You are satisfied with boring basketball <b> and </b> losing in the first round every year??? lol honestly, i know JVG is a media legend w/ his quotes, but lets get over it. He stunk it up in the playoffs and thats y he's gone.
Bench him in favor of who? He is still the starter (and should be) on the team with the roster in it's current shape. Not because he is good, but because we don't have anyone better. Hopefully we can get a pg to either back him up for 20+ minutes or start, but with our salary cap situation it would take a really lucky pick in the draft (perhaps Javaris Crittenton or a trade up for Acie Law?), or we get lucky and for whatever reason Bibby or Mo Williams decide to come here for less money (unrealistic).
I feel strangely. I just cannot envisage Houston Rockets withou Jeff Van Gundy Hopefully it wil be a great change for uor team. Of course Jeff is a great coach but i think too much defens. Now we need a great coach who will use Yao and T-Mac in 100%
at least now we have a proven winner at coach and a charismatic guy that everyone seemed to want...oh wait. we dont
Don Nelson isn't sure if he'll go back to the Warriors. I wouldn't mind him coming in and taking over as HC. More so than Adelman.
here's what he's saying: if adelman is the guy, that's great...he's a great coach and great guy. players played with heart...great regular season. disappointed in 7th game...but difference was Kirilenko becoming a factor as the series went on. shows through the 2nd round that Utah was a good team and we just got outplayed. feels bad he wasn't able to help yao and tracy get over the hump. is very appreciative to players for giving so much to him and the city. disappointed he won't be with them as they go on...because he knows they'll be successful. reason for firing: they didn't give me one. conversation wasn't like that. they're in better position to tell you why they went in different direction. enjoyed my 4 years here...love houston and will continue to make it my home. couldn't have found a better place to live. always thankful to les and carroll for bringing me to houston. feel bad for players and fans that didn't win game 7...i apologize for that not sure what i'm gonna do next. jobs are hard to come by. fortunate to have opportunity with espn/abc. no immediate plans because I expected to be back coaching with the Rockets.
listening to 790... Van Gundy is one class guy.... What is the reason you were fired? defers like a gentleman... I love Houston and I want to make it a home... couldn't find a better place to live, I am thankful to Les and CD for bringing me to this city... I just wish I could have delivered to the fans, that 7th game... I thought I would be back... but you have to adjust... He said he is thankful for his players and wants them to succeed... Great coach and good man.
I'll give Rudy a handshake anytime I see him anywhere, but sad truth time: Rudy was 100% intangibles and personality. His ability to actually coach the game was as follows: Hey, guys, play hard tonight and get after them. Get the ball to (Dream, Francis) and let him make things happen. That's just about it. His game plan was always iso the star and spread the 3-pt shooting around him. He was outcoached by over half the league. He was still perfect for the Dream/Clyde days, because a coach would only interfere. Similar to Phil Jackson not micromanaging the Bulls. Yao and McGrady need leadership. Yao needs someone telling him what to do, and McGrady needs someone keeping him focused. They aren't Dream and Clyde, or even close (personality/mindset wise). Besides, I could do without Rudy's constant insistance of bypassing money prospects in preference of finesse shooting big men each draft. Evan
no...i think people are suggesting that the fact they were eliminated in the playoffs has more to do with personnel than the coach. that's certainly what i'm saying.
Exactly. He even thanked Les and Carroll for bringing him to Houston. Now THAT'S class. Are you taking notes, Les?
