HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jeff Van Gundy said Tuesday that “the Clipper job in general is a great job.” But according to several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, the former NBA coach and current ESPN analyst is “out of the running for the job, but Brian Shaw is not. *In fact, Shaw, the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has “gained momentum” in becoming the leading candidate in the Clippers’ search for a head coach, said two NBA executives Tuesday night. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Jeff Van Gundy 

While the debate on whether or not Kidd is the move rages on, at least one respected ex-head coach doesn’t believe we can gauge how good or bad Kidd will be. “There is no way to predict such a thing,” ESPN/ABC analyst and former Knicks and Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy told SNY.tv via text message when asked if he thought Kidd would make a good coach despite the obvious lack of experience. “He has a high basketball IQ, but we will see how it translates.” SNY Nets

Coaching, Jason Kidd, Jeff Van Gundy 

No candidate has formally interviewed for the Clippers' position, or met with owner Donald Sterling, the situation remains fluid. The Clippers front office has done extensive background work on a handful of candidates: Shaw, Hollins, former Cleveland coach Byron Scott, former Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy and Denver head coach George Karl. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Byron Scott, George Karl, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Jeff Van Gundy, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry, Owners 

Van Gundy was previously near the top of the Clippers search, but talks with him have cooled recently, sources said. Karl is also still under consideration, but the Clippers have yet to formally ask permission from Denver to speak with him. Karl, the NBA's Coach of the Year after leading the starless Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 wins, will enter the final year of his contract with a new general manager at the helm, following Masai Ujiri's departure to Toronto. A source said Saturday that his situation in Denver remains "unsettled." ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, George Karl, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Jeff Van Gundy on conference call, asked about the Birdman: "Do I have to call him the Birdman? I'll call him Chris." (Not to his face.) Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Chris Andersen, Jeff Van Gundy 

The Los Angeles Clippers' conversations with top coaching choice, Jeff Van Gundy, have failed to materialize into him becoming a serious candidate for the job, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Van Gundy and Clippers officials did talk more than once about the possibility of the job, but discussions have become dormant, sources said. After spending the past five years as a top TV analyst, Van Gundy has become more open to a return to coaching and has been the subject of several overtures over the past few years. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

The Clippers have yet to formally interview any candidates, but they have had preliminary discussions with ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, Indiana associate head coach Brian Shaw, former Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry, and former Cleveland head coach Byron Scott. ESPNLosAngeles.com reported last week that Van Gundy and Shaw are regarded as the front-runners at this point, but that the situation remains fluid, as the Clippers look to replace the departed Vinny del Negro. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Byron Scott, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Jeff Van Gundy, Alvin Gentry 

Van Gundy, a self-proclaimed Houston enthusiast, definitely sees the draw for Howard to play for the Rockets’ organization. “Houston is an enticing place. One, to live, financially it’s enticing. The team is extremely well-managed with (owner) Les (Alexander) and (general manager) Daryl (Morey) doing a tremendous job and then I think they are very well-coached. I think when you look at everything from a player’s perspective that may enter into it, Houston hits everything a player would want. You’re inserting Howard for, I suspect, (Omer) Asik and I think to consider it you’d have to consider obviously trading him and what you could get for Asik but Dwight is a heck of a player.” CBS Local

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Jeff Van Gundy 

How well would Howard fit in with Harden and the Rockets? “You see Dwight Howard’s greatest strengths will always be defense and rebounding. He is a limited offensive player that is a very good pick and roll screener and then very effective roller to the basket. That’s how Houston plays now. He would fit in very well but if he wants the ball brought to him on the block 20 times a game, like Kevin McHale used to get it brought to him back in his Boston heyday, then that would be detrimental to the Rockets. It would be detrimental to their team, the win and loss departments. So it all depends on how Howard wants to fit.” CBS Local

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Jeff Van Gundy 

Jeff Van Gundy is in the spotlight these days, not just as an NBA analyst for ESPN, but as a candidate for a head coaching job with the L.A. Clippers and Brooklyn Nets. While the ex-coach Van Gundy has not confirmed or denied these reports, he did speak with SportsRadio 610′s J & R Show on Friday regarding the rumors, the possibility of coaching again, and Dwight Howard’s chances of coming to Houston. When asked point-blank about meeting with the Clippers and/or the Nets for a head coaching position, Van Gundy remained elusive. “One thing I learned long ago that talking about jobs does neither the team nor the person any good so if the team ever wants to talk about, if any team wants to talk about talking to me, that’s their right but I choose to stay out of the fray. There’s so much speculation about all these jobs and so much wrong speculation that to try to right it and all that and I just stay out of the way. But the Clippers are a good team and they’ll get a good coach. There’s no doubt about that.” CBS Local

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

How hard would it be to leave the broadcasting booth and return to coaching? “Well obviously coaching has been a big part of my life and I love that part of my professional life very much. Nothing like coaching NBA basketball, particularly when you’ve had really good guys who are really good players and so I was very fortunate and if something came along that made sense, in all aspects of my life, it would be great. But certainly, I know how fortunate I am to be doing games on television. Those are hard jobs to get as well and I work with people I really admire at ESPN and particularly, my partner Mike Green,” Van Gundy said. CBS Local

Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Mike Mazzeo: Confirmed @Mark Heisler report that #Nets have contacted Jeff Van Gundy about their vacancy, though no interview has been set up. Twitter @MazzESPN

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Josh Newman: Jeff Van Gundy, via text message: "I don't just talk about jobs. If Billy wants to talk about who he has talked to, then that's up to him." Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Billy King, Jeff Van Gundy 

Mike Mazzeo: JVG maintaining his stance that he won't talk about jobs because it doesn't help him re: report about #Nets reaching out to him. Twitter @MazzESPN

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Mark Heisler: Source says #Nets made preliminary contact w/Jeff Van Gundy. Only introductory--but he didn't say no. That's 2 suitors for JVG w/#Clippers Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy 

Mark Heisler: #Clippers long pursued $$ coaches but current faves--Hollins, Scott, JVG--are interested in them. Just reached out to JVG who didn't say no. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Ryan Hollins, Jeff Van Gundy 

One source added that Paul is also steering clear of the Clippers' search for a new coach. The Clippers have a short list of Jeff Van Gundy, Brian Shaw and Byron Scott, according to a source. They are also considering asking the Nuggets for permission to interview coach George Karl. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Byron Scott, George Karl, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Jeff Van Gundy 

The Clippers also called former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, the executive said, and was told that he too is interested. Scott, who was fired by the Cavaliers after the season and is owned about $4 million for next season, coached Chris Paul when both were with the New Orleans Hornets. ESPN analyst and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy also had preliminary discussions with the Clippers, the executive said, and was said to have an interest in the job. Alvin Gentry, a former coach of the Phoenix Suns and the Clippers, has talked with the team about the job and expressed his interest, two executives said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Jeff Van Gundy, Alvin Gentry 

Frank Isola: Three of Jeff Van Gundy's former assistants, Tom Thibodeau, Steve Clifford and Michael Malone, are now NBA head coaches. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy, Michael Malone, Steve Clifford