Phil’s Texas Ten Spot
by Rob King
Jeff Van Gundy has just written a check his behind his behind can’t cash. The person who benefits the most might be JVG’s coaching nemesis, Phil Jackson. Does anyone really think Phil Jackson relishes rebuilding franchises on either coast when the opportunity to a coach a ready-made title contender could become available in Houston?
Before Phil Jackson eats crow with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, he should keep an eye on how the situation plays out in Houston with his buddy Houston Rockets head coach and conspiracy theorist Jeff Van Gundy.
Van Gundy’s Rockets are on the verge of elimination tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, and he faces possible banishment from the league when he meets with the NBA commissioner David Stern following the completion of Houston’s playoff run.
As Van Gundy discusses the NBA’s response to his allegations that referees unfairly target Yao Ming in the court of public opinion, his Rockets have crashed and burned on the court where the games are played, losing three straight to the Mavericks after jumping out to a two-zip lead in their first round playoff series.
Failure to advance deep in the playoffs coupled with a looming showdown against an angry Commissioner Stern could lead to Van Gundy falling on his sword, resigning as the Rockets head coach. A Van Gundy resignation would not be unprecedented since he resigned as New York Knicks head coach during the middle of the 2001-2002season.
Even without Van Gundy’s resignation it is quite possible the Rockets may look to upgrade. An examination of recent NBA history shows that upgrades work. The Detroit Pistons jettisoned head coach Rick Carlisle following a season in which he took them to the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals when Larry Brown became available. Pistons president Joe Dumars believed the team had progressed as far it could under Carlisle’s leadership. During Carlisle’s tenure the Pistons won two division titles and advanced to the conference finals. The move was risky but rewarded when Brown led the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title.
The Rockets are the third best NBA team in Texas with Van Gundy at the helm. The risk to hire Phil Jackson is minimal compared to the rewards.
A playoff series loss to the Mavericks would further cement the Rockets M and M boys’ reputation for melting in the playoffs. McGrady has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs in his career, while Ming seems to be folding in the postseason under pressure like a bad poker hand. Add Phil Jackson to the mix and the Rockets will not only easily move past the first round but become instant threats to dethrone the winners of this year’s championship. Phil’s reputation alone assures this outcome.
When Jackson peruses the current NBA landscape, coaching Houston is the only position that provides a real opportunity to get his record breaking 10th NBA title. The Rockets’ star players Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming along with role players like David Wesley and Scott Padgett are well suited to execute “Chief Triangle’s” offense.
Of course Van Gundy may manage to work out his issues with the commissioner and avoid a lengthy suspension. The Rockets would then have to relieve Van Gundy of his coaching duties and eat a hefty sum of his remaining contract which may prevent them from bringing Phil Jackson at 10 million per. However Phil might be willing to come in at a reduced rate to replace his old rival JVG and break the title tie with the legendary Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics.
If Van Gundy were dismissed by the Rockets he would be a hot commodity. He could consider the Cleveland Cavaliers vacant slot that he should have taken two years ago.
When the playoff dust settles in Texas, Phil may end up in L.A. but his ten spot is in Houston.
Before Phil Jackson eats crow with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, he should keep an eye on how the situation plays out in Houston with his buddy Houston Rockets head coach and conspiracy theorist Jeff Van Gundy.
Van Gundy’s Rockets are on the verge of elimination tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, and he faces possible banishment from the league when he meets with the NBA commissioner David Stern following the completion of Houston’s playoff run.
As Van Gundy discusses the NBA’s response to his allegations that referees unfairly target Yao Ming in the court of public opinion, his Rockets have crashed and burned on the court where the games are played, losing three straight to the Mavericks after jumping out to a two-zip lead in their first round playoff series.
Failure to advance deep in the playoffs coupled with a looming showdown against an angry Commissioner Stern could lead to Van Gundy falling on his sword, resigning as the Rockets head coach. A Van Gundy resignation would not be unprecedented since he resigned as New York Knicks head coach during the middle of the 2001-2002season.
Even without Van Gundy’s resignation it is quite possible the Rockets may look to upgrade. An examination of recent NBA history shows that upgrades work. The Detroit Pistons jettisoned head coach Rick Carlisle following a season in which he took them to the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals when Larry Brown became available. Pistons president Joe Dumars believed the team had progressed as far it could under Carlisle’s leadership. During Carlisle’s tenure the Pistons won two division titles and advanced to the conference finals. The move was risky but rewarded when Brown led the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title.
The Rockets are the third best NBA team in Texas with Van Gundy at the helm. The risk to hire Phil Jackson is minimal compared to the rewards.
A playoff series loss to the Mavericks would further cement the Rockets M and M boys’ reputation for melting in the playoffs. McGrady has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs in his career, while Ming seems to be folding in the postseason under pressure like a bad poker hand. Add Phil Jackson to the mix and the Rockets will not only easily move past the first round but become instant threats to dethrone the winners of this year’s championship. Phil’s reputation alone assures this outcome.
When Jackson peruses the current NBA landscape, coaching Houston is the only position that provides a real opportunity to get his record breaking 10th NBA title. The Rockets’ star players Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming along with role players like David Wesley and Scott Padgett are well suited to execute “Chief Triangle’s” offense.
Of course Van Gundy may manage to work out his issues with the commissioner and avoid a lengthy suspension. The Rockets would then have to relieve Van Gundy of his coaching duties and eat a hefty sum of his remaining contract which may prevent them from bringing Phil Jackson at 10 million per. However Phil might be willing to come in at a reduced rate to replace his old rival JVG and break the title tie with the legendary Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics.
If Van Gundy were dismissed by the Rockets he would be a hot commodity. He could consider the Cleveland Cavaliers vacant slot that he should have taken two years ago.
When the playoff dust settles in Texas, Phil may end up in L.A. but his ten spot is in Houston.
posted by Guichard Cadet @ 7:36 PM
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