Like fellow candidate Tyronn Lue, veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy appears to be an option for both the Los Angeles Clippers (to replace Doc Rivers) and the Houston Rockets (to replace Mike D’Antoni).
But unlike Lue, if both Western Conference playoff teams offer him, there does appear to be a clear preference for Van Gundy.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon:
Both Lue and Van Gundy are prominent parts of the Rockets’ and Clippers’ coaching searches. …
Van Gundy, currently an analyst for ESPN, has been a favorite of Rockets ownership and management, and he is known to prefer the idea of coaching in his adopted home city to avoid uprooting his family.
ESPN story with @espn_macmahon on Ty Lue's coaching candidacy with Rockets gaining momentum after Monday meeting. Lue remains a prominent part of Clippers' search. https://t.co/XqQugNVONj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 13, 2020
Both the Clippers (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George) and Rockets (James Harden, Russell Westbrook) can offer an existing core with two perennial All-Stars. However, for Van Gundy, the opportunity to coach in his adopted hometown appears to have put the Houston job in front.
What isn’t yet clear is whether Houston prefers Lue or Van Gundy.
Woj and MacMahon reported Tuesday that Lue’s candidacy has gained “significant momentum” in Houston. However, they also wrote that the Rockets would not make an offer to Lue until also meeting with Van Gundy. That meeting will occur on Wednesday, per Marc Stein of The New York Times. Van Gundy could not do meetings until this week, since he was stuck at the NBA’s “bubble” as an announcer for the playoffs.
The Rockets have scheduled an interview Wednesday with ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy for their coaching vacancy, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 13, 2020
Even if the Rockets prefer Lue to Van Gundy, it also isn’t clear whether Lue would prefer the Houston job to the one in Los Angeles (if offered). Unlike Van Gundy, the 43-year-old Lue has prior experience in the city and with the Clippers, having served as Rivers’ top assistant last season.
Lue’s candidacy is said to have the support of prominent players on both the Rockets and Clippers, according to Woj and MacMahon.
During his stint as Cleveland’s head coach from January 2016 until October 2018, Lue led the Cavs to three straight Eastern Conference titles (2016, 2017, 2018) and their only NBA championship (2016).
Over parts of four seasons in the lead role, Lue compiled a 128-83 record (.607) in the regular season and 41-20 (.671) in the playoffs. Among many attributes, he was well regarded for his ability to build relationships with All-Star players like LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving.
Woj: Candidacy of Ty Lue gains ‘significant momentum’ with Rockets https://t.co/CMwNZ6kwsk
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) October 13, 2020
As for Van Gundy, the 58-year-old hasn’t coached in the league since his stint leading the Rockets from 2003-04 through 2006-07. He has, however, worked as a coach for USA Basketball since 2017.
Known best for his emphasis on defense and toughness, Van Gundy has a career coaching record of 430-318 (.575) over parts of 11 seasons as head coach in New York and Houston. Van Gundy is 44-44 (.500) in the playoffs, including a trip to the 1999 NBA Finals with the Knicks.
Besides Lue and Van Gundy, the list of other candidates for the Rockets is believed to include former Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson; Dallas assistant Stephen Silas; Denver assistant Wes Unseld Jr.; Minnesota assistant David Vanterpool; and current Rockets assistant John Lucas.
There is no definitive timetable for a hire to be made, but talks clearly seem to be progressing this week at a rapid pace.
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