As the Trail Blazers continue the search for their next head coach, a name has emerged as one of the finalists for the position. The Blazers have requested permission from the Clippers to interview assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports (via Twitter).
Van Gundy has been the lead assistant with the Clippers for the past two seasons after working as a head coach, first for the Knicks, then the Rockets, from 1995 to 2007. He holds a career 430-318 record as a head coach, including a trip to the 1999 Finals with the Knicks. Only five current coaches have more career playoff wins than Van Gundy: Erik Spoelstra, Steve Kerr, Rick Carlisle, Mike Brown, and Tyronn Lue.
Prior to joining the Clippers, Van Gundy spent 16 years as a broadcaster with ESPN, often alongside Mark Jackson, whom Van Gundy coached as an assistant with the Knicks and in Jackson’s final season with the Rockets.
While Tiago Splitter served as the team’s interim head coach following the arrest of Chauncey Billups as part of a federal investigation into illegal gambling, rumors have indicated that new owner Tom Dundon‘s preference was to go in a different, ideally cheaper, direction.
Timberwolves‘ assistant Micah Nori is also viewed as a potential candidate for the position.
How is Van Gundy going to be cheaper than Splitter?
Probably because no other team is going to offer him a contract lol
The problem with all this is the idea Dundon is looking cheap is almost entirely fabricated clickbait.
Jefferino Hot Dog Buddy Time!
Loved Van Gundy when he was coach of the Knicks. There’s a reason he hasn’t been a head coach in almost 20 years though.
Would be really funny if he pulls Mark Jackson as an assistant.
That would be funny, but no NBA team would allow that. Mark Jackson is done.
I’d always hope JVG would get another opportunity but is Portland really worth it.
I like McCain not sure why they gave up on him so soon
What an idiot. You got the coach everyone wants except for you. Some of the coaches you want are not that cheap.