Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau Could Be Sticking Around Longer
VIDEO: Will The Rockets Be able to Stand Up Against Oklahoma Thunder? Watch video below..
He coached in 87 playoff games and was part of the 1999 NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks prior to joining the Boston Celtics, with whom he won the 2008 NBA Championship, serving as a defensive coach. In 2011 he was named the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Bulls to a 62-win season. In 2012, he became the fastest coach in NBA history to earn 100 victories and finished as the runner-up for Coach of the Year.
Van Gundy was hired as head coach of the Houston Rockets in 2003.
In May 2005, Van Gundy was fined $100,000 by the NBA for accusing referees of targeting Houston Rockets center Yao Ming. Van Gundy blamed Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for causing the referees’ alleged bias. This is the largest fine handed down to a coach in NBA history.
Both Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau have ties to the Rockets and are available coaches. Steve Clifford could also be a free agent this summer and has ties to Houston as well.
