Ian Begley: The Knicks have not shown any interest in Jeff Van Gundy as a candidate for their head-coaching position at this point, league sources told ESPN. Full story coming.
Jeff Van Gundy Rumors
Peter Vecsey: Rivers is guaranteed to go, it says here. A revamped roster in mid-February dictates a demand for a new voice with new ideas with a new image. Owner Steve Ballmer, who inherited Rivers when he purchased the Clippers and gave him lots of leeway, has had plenty of time to figure out Doc is a stone phony. He took away one title (president) from him prior to this season. The time has come to relieve him of his coaching duties, pay him the $10M owed for next season, and offer Villanova’s Jay Wright a blank check. GM Lawrence Franks’ second choice, I’m told, is Jeff Van Gundy.
Miracles do happen. After years of frostiness following his resignation in 2001, Jeff Van Gundy could yet be in the mix for the Knicks’ job. Though Van Gundy appears a long shot, multiple sources told The Post that Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry spoke to his representatives Saturday. It is unclear, however, who made the first phone call. Knicks management also has talked with Mark Jackson’s agents, meaning the two broadcast partners and friends are now officially in the hunt for the same job.
According to an industry source, Van Gundy “is ready to be back next season for the right situation.”
The Knicks have contacted the representatives of both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, the Daily News has learned.
But asked if he would be interested if team president Steve Mills asked him for an interview, Van Gundy, Friday on “The Michael Kay Show” said: “I always keep changing my answer to the same question. Now that the job is available, I can say I just don’t talk about coaching searches. I don’t think it does anybody any good. It doesn’t do me any good, the teams any good. If teams want to comment, that’s their right. For myself, it’s so much better not to get drawn in those type of conversations publicly. You guys know I’m a huge Knicks fan and I want what’s best for them. Whatever they decide, I hope it works for them.’’
Mike Vorkunov: Van Gundy: “I love coaching. I love what I do now.” He talks around the Knicks job. Of James Dolan, he says: “I think the misconception of my time there was that Mr. Dolan wasn’t good to work for.” Says Dolan gave the team the resources to win when he was there.
