The former Knicks and Rockets coach is on the Cavaliers' short list to replace Mike Brown. He may or may not be interested, but he is impressed with the organization.
ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy makes it clear that the Cavaliers should be considered a good location for any prospective coaching candidate. “Danny Ferry and their ownership have proven they care deeply about winning and about people,” Van Gundy said. “That is a winning combination to sell.”CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jeff Van Gundy has a job and it's a good one. Starting Thursday, he'll be an analyst for ABC's coverage of the NBA Finals.
For the last three years, teams needing coaches have knocked on Van Gundy's door. They've hoped he'd give up the broadcast table and return to the bench, where he was successful with both the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.
The latest was the New Jersey Nets, who interviewed Van Gundy last month. They were interested until Van Gundy expressed a desire to stay in his current position, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
However, Van Gundy is on the Cavaliers' short list to replace Mike Brown, as well. He might end up giving the Cavs the same brush-off treatment. At least, for now.
"I enjoy what I do right now," Van Gundy said in a telephone interview. "In the future I do want to coach at some point."
Van Gundy has a history of positive relationships with his stars from Patrick Ewing, Latrell Sprewell and Larry Johnson in New York to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in Houston. That and his reputation as a good defensive coach are believed to intrigue the Cavs.
Several sources close to Van Gundy insist he's not planning on coaching this year. Could that change if LeBron James re-signs with the Cavs? It is isn't clear at this point.
One thing is certain, Van Gundy said the Cavs offer a desirable position, not just because of James but because of the ownership and management that is in place and stable.
Making sure to qualify his comments that he was speaking in generalities and not as a potential candidate, Van Gundy praised both owner Dan Gilbert and General Manager Danny Ferry.
"Danny Ferry and their ownership have proven they care deeply about winning and about people," Van Gundy said. "That is a winning combination to sell."
Van Gundy's point is salient, even if he is quick to emphasize he's not out for a job. His thoughts are likely to mirror those of candidates the Cavs are hoping to attract, men with a history of success in the league.
Most other current job openings don't have the stability the Cavs have at the top. In New Orleans there is an ownership change coming, one just happened in New Jersey, management is in flux and uncertain with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks ownership group has been in court fighting each other for the better part of four years.
Van Gundy passed on the Cavs and coaching James once before, in 2003, when he could have had the job but instead accepted the Rockets' offer. It was, in part, because of the potentially unstable ownership in Cleveland at the time.
"At that point, [former owner] Mr. [Gordon] Gund was looking to sell," Van Gundy said. "I liked him when I spoke with him and I like [former GM] Jim Paxson; he was a straight shooter. But it was an uncertain time for the team."
Now, though, the Cavs have stable ownership and management even if they are in an uncertain time again. Chicago Bulls, another job seen as highly attractive at the moment, also has such stability.
While the uncertainty surrounding James may be a major issue in the Cavs' search, Van Gundy downplayed it to a degree.
"For some people not knowing what LeBron's going to do would be problematic; I can understand why people would want to wait and see," he said. "You just want to know who the owner and GM are and be aligned with their vision."
In his interview with Larry King on Tuesday, James said he didn't want to have a direct say on whom the Cavs or any other team would hire as a coach.
"I'm not one to go into the off year and say this is who I want my coach to be," James told King. "Now, there are some coaches, that, you know, if I had an opportunity to play for, I would be delighted."
Van Gundy said having a relationship with the star is important and believes James would respect a coach who shares the same values."The most important relationships in any organization are the GM with the coach and the coach with best players," Van Gundy said.
"If there's a major stumbling block then it won't work. But there's always going to be some disagreement and that's healthy. You don't have same thoughts, but you have to share the same values from a basketball sense. It seems like LeBron shares all winning values."
Like many in the coaching profession who have spoken in the media, Van Gundy repeatedly praised the job that Mike Brown did over the last five years. But despite the message firing a coach that just had two 60-win seasons sends, Van Gundy doesn't think the Cavs should have any regrets.
If James re-signs, he thinks they could be in the same spot next year, something that would be attractive to the next coach.
"I feel for them because they've been very, very close," he said. "They've given themselves a chance to win. I think they could be in the same position next year. Any coach would like that."