<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Doc Rivers, Boston It's year three for Rivers and Paul Pierce isn't getting any younger. A playoff berth is a must. 2. Isiah Thomas, New York Just how owner James Dolan will define improvement remains to be seen, but Thomas has to show he can win with the talent he assembled. 3. Eddie Jordan, Washington Yes, Jordan signed a three-year extension but GM Ernie Grunfeld won't be afraid to pull the plug if the defense doesn't improve. 4. Jerry Sloan, Utah Let's be clear: Larry Miller will never fire Sloan. But another year of mediocrity and Sloan will show himself the door. 5. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston The talent is there. Van Gundy has to prove he can win outside of New York. 6. Sam Mitchell, Toronto Don't be surprised if Mitchell is the first one to go. A slow start by the Raptors will give Bryan Colangelo all the cover he needs to bring in Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni. </div> Full Story
Well, unless we have a very bad season with everyone healthy, I think that JVG's job will be safe. Dawson's a fan of him, and unless drastic results surface, I think Van Gundy will continue to be the Rockets coach. Not making the playoffs will definitely be a reason for him to be fired, but a first round exit should be evaluated depending on who the opponent was and how the team played. If we played like we did in Game 7 against the Mavs, obviously Van Gundy will be to blame. But if we were 7th seed and pushed San Antonio to 7 close games, I think the management will take it as a positive sign and let Van Gundy stay. In the two series that Van Gundy has coached the Rockets in the playoffs, we were considered the underdogs in both and both times we were able to give the higher-ranked teams a major scare. Van Gundy teams play with grit, and this one shouldn't be any different.
