Offical...Jeff Van Gundy new head coach at Rockets....

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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.


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 job, but Gray's source said Dunleavy is a frontrunner 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 he'd also interviewed with a couple of other teams. He would name only the Washington Wizards.

"You just wait and see how everything works out," he said.


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."</div>

This would be a great move by Houston....

 

I heard he will definantly go to the rockets.

 

GREAT FIT!!!! yao and franshise will go far next year van gundy will probably get ewing to be the big man coach to coach yao

 

You can tell Hakeem has been working with Yao and that Yao studies Hakeem a lot because Yao has pulled off some moves reminiscent (sp?) of Hakeem's dream shake. Can't wait to see how much Yao improves next season.

 

verry true yao does those beautiful finese moves that trick his defenders all the time

 

JVG is such a good fit...he is a good defensive coach and can teach the young guys well...as i don't think rudy T could anymore...

 

JVG would develop Yao and Mobley..and maybe help him with shot selection so people will stop downin him

 

<---- newest rocket fan

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "dexter":</div><div class="quote_post"><div class="quote_poster">Quoting "pchotsauce":</div><div class="quote_post">JVG would develop Yao and Mobley..and maybe help him with shot selection so people will stop downin him</div>

Mobley needs to learn alot more than just shot selection before I stop criticizing him. Defense and playing a team game come to mind.</div>

Very true,he doesn't play smart either...seems PC is the only one doesn't see this

 

I hope the best for Van Gundy, hes a great coach and a great human being

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "pchotsauce":</div><div class="quote_post">JVG would develop Yao and Mobley..and maybe help him with shot selection so people will stop downin him</div>

I think the rockets should get rid of mobley.

 

Hopefully it would end up like in NY. VG just fell apart.

 

Allnet...I seriously don't see why people are raggin on Mobley tho..he's a good player on a average team..I think he's better than most 2's out there...it's my opinion and hell yeah I am overration him

 

I think dexter sums up mobley's problem...he can score..but he is a terrible defender...and makes terrible decisions..he hurts his team alot

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Former New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy has accepted an offer to become the Rockets' next coach, a Houston television station reported Monday.

NBA sources told KRIV that Van Gundy called the Rockets Monday morning and said he will be their next coach pending successful contract negotiations, which are already under way.

The Rockets are looking at a four- to five-year contract for Van Gundy, who spent two days in Houston last week, touring team facilities and the city.

The deal to hire Van Gundy also will depend on whether the Rockets can agree to give the Knicks some form of compensation for hiring their former coach. Van Gundy is still under contract with New York through July 31.

The former Knicks coach also had been considering the head coaching job of the Washington Wizards.
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Here we go...JVG is the new coach....

 

I heard them talking about this yesteray during pregame show. JVG was going to Rockets or Wizards.. im glad they got JVG maybe theyll make it far this season...

 

so what other coaching spots are open? clippers, wizards, sixers, raptors.. is that it? i think floyd is gonna coach the hornets (really stupid decision)