Oops, forgot to paste in the report. Report: Van Gundy leaving Rockets Saturday's Game 7 loss to the Jazz was the last for Jeff Van Gundy as the Houston Rockets' coach, according to the New York Post. Citing an "impeccable source," The Post reported that Van Gundy is leaving NBA coaching for the forseeable future. According to the source, Van Gundy's decision isn't based on the first-round series loss to the Jazz. Van Gundy wouldn't discuss his future when asked in the postgame news conference Saturday. "All that stuff next year is for another time," Van Gundy said. "Tonight is about obviously a hugely disappointing result. "Guys had a tremendous regular season and a great group, and we didn't play as well as we would have hoped in the postseason." The Rockets have missed the playoffs just once in Van Gundy's four years with the Rockets, but Houston has also failed to make it out of the first round each time. Van Gundy is 430-318 as an NBA coach. He has a 44-44 postseason record in guiding the Knicks and the Rockets to the playoffs. In 1999, he became the first coach in NBA history to guide an eighth-seeded team to the NBA Finals, where the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs. His winning percentage of .590 in New York ranks only second to Pat Riley (.680) in Knicks history.
saw jvgs press conference on nbatv a few minutes ago. his body language looked somewhat apathetic. didnt help me to look past this rumor. p.s. Fratello is a turd.
The Rockets are built to win now, Scott Brooks, Reggie Theus and Mario Elie aren't the answers. At least as far as head coaches go.
Look, I'm no fan of JVG. I'm merely pointing out that the Rockets themselves have players with limited offensive game. It wouldn't really matter what coach they had, its the type of players I'm talking about. Bringing in a guy like Don Nelson won't instantly transform Luther, Shane, Chuck, Rafer, and even TMAC into guys that are going to slash to the basket and play uptempo. We simply do not have those kinds of players. Nice try though, Brotha.
Can't say I'm that surprised, if true. JVG hasn't been the same this series. Where was the fiery coach that called out the refs in 05? He's been reserved all year. I respect the job he did this season if he was considering quitting. There must be nothing worse than being one of the best in the world at a job that most people would kill for, and having the stress of the job make you so miserable that you can't keep it up.
The last ex-Rocket player turned Rocket-Coach won the only 2 major championships in Houston Sports History and back to back NBA Titles, at that Rudy-T M. Elie
I like JVG and have a lot of respect for him as a coach, but I think it's obvious that this team is going nowhere under him. I don't think his personality fits this team unfortunately, and that is not all on Van Gundy. We need a coach that is going to bring some fire to this apathetic team. To me NBA players shouldn't need that, but watching several of the games in this playoff series it seemed obvious that they do. When your team comes out in slow motion for the first half of a game 7, something is wrong.
I didnt say he deserved ALL the blame....I am aware that a couple of players (head,Howard) didnt show up in the play-offs. I am also aware that the players tend to be more spot-up shooters. I didnt mean the could score in every way, but they can all score in certain ways. For example, Shane had 16 pts yesterday cause he took a few more shots... He SHOULD be taking those....that's the kind of thing im talking about
Retiring...Are you f'n kidding me...Look, I'm PO'd as much as the next guy, but damn...Might as well say you're a quitter... However, I do think a move was needed...We need someone to take us to the next level...I love JVG's defensive philosophy, but it could never come together...
I agree Adelman would be my first choice. He's a proven coach with a great offensive system. He would get so much more out of Yao and Yao would be able to play his game instead of being forced to play the 90's NBA center. That would cure the coaching need, but what do the Rockets do with their roster? This team has got to do a better job of talent evaluation and get some quality dept some how.
well, i really wonder what the age range is on some of these posts. why blame van gundy? he gets the players prepared and works with the talent he is given. your trying to tell me that it is preposterous that CD isnt also to blame in the personelle choices? this team was built like the hakeem teams of the 90's. inside out to perimeter jump shooters. our team make-up was a dinosaur, not built to succeed in this more athletic NBA. and how many of you have had a stressfull life-consuming job that made you quit no matter what the pay was? he served out his contract, did the best he could, what more can you ask? the rockets need to blow this up and rebuild. i think yao is the only untouchable. if you keep mcgrady(who i think should be traded for a superstar PF and some athletic as hell roleplayers) then you still need a slasher 2 and 1 guard and a big brawler who can give you 10 and 10 a night at the 4. if you just get a new coach, it isnt gonna matter, cause our team is NOT very good. you cant tell me getting 50+ points from your superstars and NOTHING from everyone else is all JVG fault. and grow up, i know your angry, but c'mon, novak and spounallis suck, really good players dont develop they come in and dominate almost from the get go. if they were any good, they would have played.
