schadenfreude52
05-07-2007, 12:15 AM
The Houston Rockets Sunday denied reports that coach Jeff Van Gundy has coached his last game for the team.
The New York Post reported that Van Gundy is leaving NBA coaching, but that his decision to leave wasn't based on the Rockets' first-round loss to the Utah Jazz.
Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Van Gundy and team owner Leslie Alexander both denied the reports and that Van Gundy planned to speak to the media on Monday. Van Gundy has one non-guaranteed season remaining on his contract.
"We have no idea where the story came from," Luis said. "(Van Gundy) put all his heart and soul into getting to the second round. He was completely taken aback by it and was in disbelief."
Van Gundy has led the Rockets to the playoffs in three of his four years in Houston, but the team has never made it out of the first round.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: NBA | Rockets | NBA playoffs | Van Gundy
Luis said that Van Gundy and Alexander have not discussed Van Gundy's future since the Rockets loss Saturday.
Van Gundy told The Houston Chronicle that, "It's just 12 hours after we lost. There has been speculation about my job going on the whole year. Anybody that saying that (he has chosen to step down as Rockets coach), I have no idea why they would say that."
The New York Post reported that Van Gundy is leaving NBA coaching, but that his decision to leave wasn't based on the Rockets' first-round loss to the Utah Jazz.
Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Van Gundy and team owner Leslie Alexander both denied the reports and that Van Gundy planned to speak to the media on Monday. Van Gundy has one non-guaranteed season remaining on his contract.
"We have no idea where the story came from," Luis said. "(Van Gundy) put all his heart and soul into getting to the second round. He was completely taken aback by it and was in disbelief."
Van Gundy has led the Rockets to the playoffs in three of his four years in Houston, but the team has never made it out of the first round.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: NBA | Rockets | NBA playoffs | Van Gundy
Luis said that Van Gundy and Alexander have not discussed Van Gundy's future since the Rockets loss Saturday.
Van Gundy told The Houston Chronicle that, "It's just 12 hours after we lost. There has been speculation about my job going on the whole year. Anybody that saying that (he has chosen to step down as Rockets coach), I have no idea why they would say that."