The ball is in Rockets' court, says Van Gundy
By DAVID BARRON (Houston Chronicle)Updated: 2007-05-17 14:46
While Jeff Van Gundy was enthusiastic and upbeat Wednesday about his new job — working NBA playoff games on ABC and ESPN as a guest analyst beginning Friday — he was considerably more guarded about his future as coach of the Rockets, saying the final word rests with team owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey.
 Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy (center), who will work NBA playoff games for ABC and ESPN beginning Friday, is no stranger to the broadcast booth. Before taking the Rockets' job, Van Gundy worked as an analyst for TNT with Mike Fratello and Marv Albert.[AP]  |
A day after it was reported the Rockets have spoken with Rick Adelman about coaching the team if Van Gundy does not return for the final year of his contract, Van Gundy several times declined to express his plans and wishes about coaching in Houston next season.
"I've really enjoyed my four years," he said. "I loved the guys I coached, and I've been real appreciative of the opportunities given. But as far as trying to guess what I'm going to do, I would rather defer comment to Les and Daryl about when they're going to finalize their decision about how they want to proceed forward."
He said Morey and Alexander "know how I feel, and whatever they decide is best for the organization, I'm fine with it."
"I'd rather reflect on the good part of the four years," Van Gundy said. "I've really, really enjoyed it. I like Houston as a city. I plan to make it my home for a long time, and I've really enjoyed the guys I've been able to coach and the coaches I've been able to work with.
"What happens next — that's for them to decide, and I understand that, and I'm fine with it. ... Whatever he (Alexander) thinks is best for the team, I'll live with that."
Morey on Tuesday said Van Gundy has "been open all along to coming back" and "has been a part of the process" in the resolution of the Rockets' coaching plans for next season.
Next season is the last on Van Gundy's contract as Rockets coach, but his salary is not guaranteed. He can terminate the contract up to three days after the end of the NBA season.
Van Gundy's comments came in the wake of Wednesday's announcement of his playoff duties with ABC and ESPN, beginning with Game 6 of the Suns-Spurs series Friday in San Antonio. He will work with Mike Breen, a friend and colleague dating to his days with the Knicks, and Mark Jackson, whom he coached in New York and Houston.
Network officials said Van Gundy will work through the Western Conference finals but that it has not been decided if he will contribute to ABC's NBA Finals coverage.
"Jeff is the perfect addition to our broadcast team," said Norby Williamson, ESPN's executive vice president for studio and remote production. "In his previous work on television, he showed he is a great communicator who can clearly break down the game in a simple and entertaining fashion."
Van Gundy joked about appearing in front of ESPN's high-definition cameras — "I would say the more definition for me, the less appealing," he quipped — and said the uncertainty about his future with the Rockets will not affect his on-camera work.
"I have no problem compartmentalizing the broadcasting situation," he said.
Van Gundy debuted as a broadcaster with TNT during the 2001-02 season. He also worked for TNT in 2002-03 and called playoff games for the network in 2005. He would not speculate on his future as a broadcaster beyond his current role with ESPN and ABC.
"I try to enjoy everything as it comes," he said."I really enjoy coaching, although maybe sometimes it doesn't look that way."
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