HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Bucks will interview Van Gundy and Sampson, the Rockets' top assistant, for the job vacated Wednesday when interim coach Jim Boylan was let go, league sources said. It is also believed that Lakers assistant Steve Clifford -- a Van Gundy assistant in Orlando (under Stan) and Houston (under Jeff) -- will be under consideration. CBSSports.com

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson 

Gery Woelfel: I was told earlier this week by a Van Gundy associate that he will likely sit out another season. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

The Bucks announced today that interim head coach Jim Boylan won’t be offered a new contract, and Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Van Gundy “has emerged as the franchise’s top target.” Van Gundy wouldn’t comment when the Orlando Sentinel contacted him Gundy this afternoon. Since the Magic dismissed him, he’s generally remained tight-lipped when NBA coaching jobs have opened. Orlando Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

On Dec. 4, 2010, prior to a Magic road game against the Bucks, I asked Van Gundy whether returning to Wisconsin brought back fond memories. “As soon as I walk outside, no,” Van Gundy said, a smile on his face. “I want to get back to Florida. When I’m inside, yeah. Look, I enjoyed my years here, and there’s a lot of good people here and everything else. . . . I laugh about it, but I don’t miss the weather. I don’t miss the weather at all.” Orlando Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

Adrian Wojnarowski: With Jim Boylan out as interim coach, Stan Van Gundy and Kelvin Sampson will be two top targets for Milwaukee, league sources tell Y! Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson, Jim Boylan 

Other coaching candidates include former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and current Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw. The Philadelphia76ers already have requested permission to interview Shaw after the Pacers exit the playoffs, according to media reports. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Stan Van Gundy 

While it's unlikely that Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale will step down, sources say the Rockets will have strong interest in Stan Van Gundy if he does. Of course, the Rockets will be major suitors of Dwight Howard in free agency. Howard and Van Gundy have been on friendly terms this season, texting often, and sources say Howard has gained a newfound respect for Van Gundy's coaching ability this season. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Stan Van Gundy 

A source close to former Miami and Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said Van Gundy has no interest in coaching any of the three current openings in the NBA: in Philadelphia, Detroit or Cleveland. Ex-Portland and Seattle coach Nate McMillan might have some interest in the Cavs' job, but if the Sacramento Kings move to Seattle, he'd be earmarked for that position. Former Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles is available. He's hard-nosed and a defensive coach, but he is known to wear down everyone around him with his relentless style. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Nate McMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Scott Skiles 

The Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavs and Philadelphia 76ers are looking for coaches -- three more possibilities for former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. I'm told that Van Gundy has no interest in those openings at this time. More jobs could open after the playoffs end, however. Orlando Sentinel

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

The Cavs also have an interest in former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and former Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles, and Mike Malone is a former assistant under Brown in Cleveland and Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale has intriguing ties to Grant. Fizdale and Grant were college teammates at the University of San Diego, he is an up-and-coming assistant on Erik Spoelstra’s staff in Miami and has close ties to LeBron James. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Chris Grant, Stan Van Gundy, Scott Skiles, David Fizdale 

Nate McMillan is the early speculative favorite on the list of coaches Dumars might consider. Like a prime Tiger Woods in a golf tournament, size of field could be the former Seattle and Portland coach's biggest obstacle. The Van Gundy brothers also might hold some intrigue. Among those who have not been NBA head coaches, Brian Shaw, a perennial bridesmaid for head-coaching jobs, and Kelvin Sampson also might fit the profile of coaches Dumars might consider. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Joe Dumars, Nate McMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Jeff Van Gundy, Kelvin Sampson 

More than likely, though, the Sixers will interview several candidates for the position, including veteran coaches Mike Brown, Nate MacMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Brian Shaw, and Mike Malone. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Brown, Stan Van Gundy, Doug Collins, Mike Malone 

But Del Negro's well-chronicled desire for the Clips to trade for Boston's Kevin Garnett in February, coupled with his bosses' well-chronicled reluctance to part with both Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan in a KG deal, has spawned the impression of competing agendas behind closed doors in Clipperland. It's also undeniably worrisome for Del Negro that, according to sources, Stan Van Gundy's availability already has the Clippers highly intrigued. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

Is it true that you are gassy? Dwight Howard: “(Laughing) Stan (Van Gundy) used to get mad because I would have so much gas. It was like I didn’t have gas at home but I always had it when we had practice and especially when he talked. I used to always let it out.” Sports Radio Interviews

Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

Some will wish him luck before a game. Some will offer praise for Howard's recent efforts. Some will express sympathy for the challenges Howard has encountered in his first season with the Lakers, including a surgically repaired back, a torn labrum in his right shoulder, a reduced offensive role and heightened media scrutiny. These messages come from Stan Van Gundy, the former Magic coach who publicly claimed last season that Howard wanted him fired. "We never stopped communicating even if there have been times he was very angry with me," Van Gundy said in a phone interview. "Dwight and I may not have always seen eye to eye. But I think there is mutual respect." Howard agrees, describing his former coach as a "good man" and maintaining they have a "pretty good relationship." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

Van Gundy believes Howard wasn't trying to bad-mouth any of his former teammates. "He did not, in my opinion, mean to say 'I didn't play with good players in Orlando,' " Van Gundy, currently an analyst for NBC Sports, told the L.A. Daily News. "The question was about his demeanor. He's been criticized for his demeanor on the court. He was basically trying to defend himself in his demeanor saying he can be smiling and still be serious about winning. What he meant to say is, 'We had an underrated or under the radar team in Orlando and we won a lot of games and I was the best player on that team and this was my demeanor. So what's the problem now?' " ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

In the war of words between Dwight Howard and his former Orlando Magic teammates, one significant voice weighed in on the side of the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard said that his former Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy, reached out to him Thursday to offer support. "He knows I would never disrespect my teammates," said Howard after Lakers' shootaround Friday in advance of their game against the Toronto Raptors. "He understood exactly what I was saying and that's what he expressed." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

Van Gundy believes Howard wasn't trying to badmouth any of his former teammates. "He did not, in my opinion, mean to say 'I didn't play with good players in Orlando,'" Van Gundy, currently an analyst for NBC Sports, told the L.A. Daily News. "The question was about his demeanor. He's been criticized for his demeanor on the court. He was basically trying to defend himself in his demeanor saying he can be smiling and still be serious about winning. What he meant to say is 'We had an underrated or under the radar team in Orlando and we won a lot of games and I was the best player on that team and this was my demeanor. So what's the problem now?'" ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

Former Miami and Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said there's not a "better coach now in the NBA'' than Erik Spoelstra “I don’t think he’s gotten enough credit,’’ Van Gundy said. “People look at their talent and discount the job that he has done. I don’t think there’s a better coach now in the NBA. It’s time for him to get his due.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Coaching, Erik Spoelstra, Stan Van Gundy 

Exclusive Stan Van Gundy quote on Dwight Howard's future with @Lakers: I asked Stan Van Gundy if he thinks Dwight Howard will be wearing a @Lakers jersey by the end of the season: "That's going to be an interesting thing," Van Gundy said. "I think they will keep him for the rest of the year. I think they still think they've got a lot to offer and can re-sign him. So, I think he'll be there for the rest of the year, but I think it's '50-50' or maybe even worse odds for the Lakers that they can retain him at the end of the year and if they realize that, you could see them make a move at the trading deadline." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy