Wednesday, June 4 Updated: June 6, 12:10 PM ET Source: Dunleavy front-runner for Hawks job -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services Jeff Van Gundy and Houston Rockets officials remained tightlipped on Thursday, but it's only a matter of time before Van Gundy is installed as the club's next head coach. Van Gundy, who earlier this week emerged as the favorite to replace Rudy Tomjanovich, was in Houston on Thursday to look at houses and schools in the area, as well as tour the Rockets' facilities. A source told ESPN's Jim Gray that Van Gundy and the team have not reached a financial agreement yet, but "[the Rockets have] made their choice" to hire Van Gundy. The Rockets would not bring him to Houston unless they were confident they could reach a contract agreement, the source told Gray. Van Gundy stayed away from specifics Thursday when asked about becoming the successor to Tomjanovich, who stepped down on May 23. "I've never felt comfortable talking about business," said Van Gundy, whose most recent job has been as a television analyst. "I'm a coach." Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson also was tight-lipped Thursday. Asked if he's made an offer to Van Gundy,the former coach of the New York Knicks, Dawson replied: "We will if it works out." Neither would confirm a report Thursday by Houston television station KRIV that cited unidentified league sources saying Van Gundy was negotiating a four- or five-year deal to coach the Rockets. "It's a great job," Van Gundy said, acknowledging the courtship by the Rockets was flattering. "There are a lot of people who want it. It's obviously a great sports town, a new arena, good, young talent." Dawson said earlier in the week that Van Gundy and Mike Dunleavy are the two finalists for the Houston job, but Gray's source said Dunleavy is a front-runner to get the coaching job in Atlanta. The Rockets also had met with Paul Silas and Larry Brown. On Monday, Silas was introduced as Cleveland Cavaliers coach and Brown was named coach of the Detroit Pistons. Van Gundy said Thursday that he also had interviewed with a couple of other teams. He would name only the Washington Wizards, saying he talked with them Wednesday about their vacant coaching and president of basketball operations positions. "[Wednesday,] I spoke to the Wizards for a good length of time," he said. "We'll just wait and see how everything works out." Wizards officials have maintained the team does not plan to hire a coach until it names a president of basketball operations. Van Gundy said he spoke briefly with Tomjanovich, describing him as an icon and one of the game's great coaches. "You've got big shoes to fill," he said. "You just try to build on what they accomplished here." But he said he told Tomjanovich that if he took the job, the former coach always would be welcome. "I'd rely on him a lot," he said. "You'd be foolish not to tap into that expertise." As for the Rockets as a team, Van Gundy said Yao Ming at center and Steve Francis at guard formed a solid foundation that made the job attractive. "I was talking to somebody I really trust in basketball," Van Gundy said. "He said the biggest plus about Houston is every day Yao Ming wakes up, he's 7-5. "Ain't that the truth." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
This is on the front page: Update: Les, Van Gundy met with Rockets attorney Michael Goldberg today to talk financial deal.
I think it's been kind of funny watching all the posters mess themselves over the regime change. Folks, Rummy and Paul have been working in this business for awhile now. Not only do they know better how to go about getting this done than the folks here, they are working with more information than we are. Liberal, if it makes you feel any better, if you know Saddam Husine is getting a big nuke from another country, than Rummy probably knows it too, and probably knows for certain which country to boot. Or, do you think you have better sources than the neo-cons? Everyone, sit back, relax, wait until a WMD is found. Then, b**** like hell because they didn't get the weapon you wanted. Sorry, just can't help :^)
LES... INCENTIVE LADEN CONTRACT!!! give jvg nice base pay but phat bonuses for #wins and playoffs... JVG... DO YOU REALLY WANNA GO TO WASHINGTON? WASHINGTON!!! WE HAVE YAO AND STEVE!!! youve sat out waiting for the perfect situation. im sure les will give you a good contract. houston may not be a ny but its getting better. plus there are no winters down here. youll never have to shovel your drive way in 2 ft of snow or thaw your car out of a ice block. jeff NO WINTER!!! =P
By the way JVG, get some more rest and put some cucumbers or tea bags on your eyes. it looks like you havent slept in 20 yrs. The pace of life down in houston is alot slower than ny so that may help out those louis vuttons under your eyes. =P
Lol. The only difference is that the Rockets are competent and intend to do good while the govt is competent and intends to do evil. But, that is a story for another forum.
I can't believe it took so long to speculate. When Clutch told us that MONEY was the reason Brown went to Detroit, and then we read that he signed for 25M over 5 years, dind't you think to yourself: "If we're getting a big-time coach, how the hell will we do it for less than 5M a season?" There's not going to be a bidding war because Les doesn't want to pay too much money, and rightfully so. If Van Gundy gets Larry Brown/Detroit money from Washington, expect him to sign there. Unless we come close to the offer that Washington will make, we're stuck with Mike Dunleavy. Which brings up another topic. People here are saying he wouldn't want to play second fiddle, but that's not true. I remember someone reporting him as saying he doesn't care if he's first, second, or third choice, but he wants this job badly. To me, this means he'll be our coach if Van Gundy is not.
JVG is merely generating or leaking rumors. The below is a quote from the Washington Post: Wizards officials have maintained the team does not plan to hire a coach until naming a president of basketball operations. The Wizards have interviewed former Maryland star Len Elmore for that job and are believed to have spoken to others. They have said this all along that they would be hiring a replacement for MJ before they would hire a coach.
For all its worth, I think a major issue is moving to Houston. Remember how Gumby said that he didn't want to move to the south? Gumby is a NY guy, he doesn't really seem to fit living in Houston. Its like Rudy moving to NYC to be the coach up there. It just doesn't seem right.
If the Wizards offer Van Gundy enough time and control (as Pres of Bskbl Ops) to build the team as he sees fit, then this is probably a better deal for him. In Houston, he's somewhat stifled with CD and Rudy still in positions of influence. With the Rockets still rebuilding, Van Gundy might resent not having the personnel control necessary. And as the Rockets get better (while still not winning rings) CD and Rudy may get more and more powerful. Furthermore, Van Gundy's family might prefer to live in Washington D.C.
Don't worry guys. If VG does pick somewhere over houston, it will be his loss rather than rockets'. And, I just can't imagine how one would pass up two All-Stars, a good supporting cast (or at least above avg.), and a GREAT fan interest...etc. Btw, how about we bring in Yao's head coach at Shanghai Sharks ?? J/K.
