HoustonChronicle.com Rockets play waiting game with Van Gundy Notebook: Tomjanovich is content ... for now Payton in Portland? Kid June 7, 2003, 9:47PM Rockets play waiting game Van Gundy will take weekend to decide about coaching job By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Jeff Van Gundy told Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson that he likely would not make a decision until today or Monday and was true to his word. But Dawson could not keep himself from waiting by the phone. He paced for a while, occupied himself with household chores, reminded himself of how well he felt his recruitment of Van Gundy to be the next Rockets coach had gone. But he could not relax until Rockets general counsel Michael Goldberg received word from Van Gundy's agent Jim Ornstein that Van Gundy would take the weekend as planned before calling with his decision. "I'm just waiting to see what he says, doing things around the house," Dawson said. "He said he would talk to me Sunday or Monday. It was sort of a normal day, the first one I've had in a while." He would have preferred an abnormal day, one that included his first coaching hire since he picked Van Chancellor to coach the Comets. But he and Goldberg said that not hearing from Van Gundy on Saturday did not change their confidence in landing him. Van Gundy has at least one option. He met with the Wizards on Wednesday, and there has been speculation throughout the NBA that the Wizards could put together a package worth $35 million over five years with a small percentage of the team. But the Rockets do not believe even that will cause Van Gundy to think twice. "If money was the issue, we would be talking about money," Goldberg said. "I asked if there was anything more C.D. or I could do, and they said absolutely not. He (Ornstein) said he just wanted to take the weekend to think about it." There is little concern that Van Gundy is not serious about the Rockets position or using it for leverage with the Wizards. It seems unlikely he and his wife had interviews at private elementary schools Friday because he likes the little desks. They also viewed homes with a broker in River Oaks, Tanglewood and West University. "I said we didn't want to pressure him, but if there was anything C.D. or I could answer, he should call, or if there was anything Carol (Goldberg) or Sharon (Dawson) could answer for Kim (Van Gundy), to please call," Goldberg said. "Les (Alexander, Rockets owner) did his job. Jeff really respects him. I don't think there are any issues about the job. I think it's if Jeff wants to come here. "I don't think the thing in Washington is what it's about. It's where do they want to live. His family is in the Northeast. Her family is in the Northeast. His agent told me he is not having any discussions with any other team this weekend. He just has to think about it. It might be (today), but we'll probably hear something Monday." But considering the pacing under way, Dawson better wear comfortable shoes.
