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Houston Rockets: Jeff Van Gundy II: The Sequel?

By Brian K. Patterson

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Houston Rockets stumble miserably through the postseason, as it’s looking like the Golden State Warriors can’t be beat, we as fans can’t help but look at what would things be like with a different coach.

Don’t get me wrong, J.B. Bickerstaff is a good and dedicated coach but his skill set at this moment isn’t necessarily what the Rockets need.

I honestly feel that the Rockets will let him go shortly after the postseason which from all what the basketball world has calculated, it’s likely going to be Sunday which is Game 4 of the first round.

Yes, many are predicting the gentleman’s sweep and I feel that the Rockets are going to get at least one game at home to extend this series for a couple of more days through the middle of next week.

But regardless, the Rockets season will likely be over soon and there’s nothing much that we can really do about it.

When Kevin McHale was fired 11 games into this past season, Bickerstaff was tasked to try to mesh together notable mix of talent but a horrible match of personalities.

And that has been the problem with this team.

There are too many egos to manage and because he has the “interim” tag next to his name, he has to tread carefully because it’s not yet HIS team.

I suspect that the Rockets will interview him in the off season — he deserves it after many years of dedication to the organization — but the Rockets will go out, chase and land a big coaching name.

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Does Tom Thibadeau and Scott Brooks come to mind?

There’s one guy that I didn’t mention above that actually is considering a return to coaching.

Who am I talking about?

None other than Jeff Van Gundy.

Yes, JVG is eyeing a return back to the sidelines and according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Mannix of The Vertical, he is at the top of the list as far as Rockets’ coaching candidates.

It makes sense too — his departure was one that I didn’t quite agree with before they brought in Rick Adelman as we were one of the premier defensive teams of the Association during the four seasons that he was here from 2003-07.

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That is something the Rockets have lacked since his departure.

We just have to come to grips that our offensive production will take a dip but I’ll take defense any day because it does win championships.

At least with a decade having passed, he can’t bring back some of his players from his New York Knicks coaching days as they have all long retired.

Thank goodness…

But just to illustrate, the last time the Knicks were really good was when he was pacing the sidelines at Madison Square Garden, regularly a team that would qualify and compete profusely during the playoffs.

But here’s the skinny, I’ve always liked JVG and I always will, I love when he does the ABC telecasts for us because he can always find a positive about this team when there are a plethora of negatives.

Which makes me further believe he doesn’t want to burn bridges with the Rockets, leaving the door open for a return someday.

That return may be sooner than we think and I certainly hope that it happens.

Van Gundy is also reportedly scheduled to interview with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that is on the cusp of doing something special with the bevy of young talent that they have in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio.

But I’d imagine that JVG would like to go sleep in own bed 41 games out of the year in his home in Houston, making a return here more attractive.

Aside from Van Gundy, the Rockets are reportedly interested in Thibadeau, Brooks and even bringing Bickerstaff back.

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Bickerstaff did guide this team to the playoffs and ESPN’s Marc Stein also reports that the accomplishment of doing so could allow for that “interim” tag to be lifted.

All in all, it’s going to be a crazy off season for our coach and I suggest that you all fasten your seat belts.

Go Rockets.

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