Jeff Van Gundy had an opportunity Friday to deny interest in the Nets job. He didn't use it and instead told SNY that "Any coach that's interested in coaching would be interested in that job." JVG has had kind words for the two guys who would hire him: Mikhail Prokorov and Rod Thorn.
With Mikhail Prokhorov now officially his boss, Rod Thorn kicked off the Nets' coaching search by reaching out to Avery Johnson.
Thorn says Prokhorov isn't "necessarily" looking for a coach who make a "splash" but one who can move the team "in the right direction"...and with approved, expect things to push off next week.
Rod Thorn, writes ESPN's Marc Stein, can afford to be patient in the search for a new coach mainly because Mikhail Prokhorov can afford whatever's needed to sign a top candidate...any top candidate.
Mark Jackson declines to take Ed Stefanski's call to interview for the Sixers job, wants to wait for the Nets and Clippers. Meanwhile, the guy who replaced him in the booth as the Nets analyst, Mike Fratello, was interviewed by the Hornets.
Jeff Van Gundy not that interested in returning to the sidelines, but he has just the guy for the Nets: his former assistant Tom Thibodeau. JVG cites Thibodeau's strengths including his great work with big men.
Anyone watching Jeff Van Gundy broadcast NBA playoff games can tell he thoroughly enjoys it. So much so that he isn't interested in returning to the coaching sidelines. Van Gundy, who quit his...
Money talks and when your owner has a lot of money, he may talk loudest in the hunt for new coach. Rod Thorn doesn't expect too many teams are going to want to get into a bidding war with Mikhail Prokhorov.
With Prokhorov close to becoming Nets owner, expect the team's coaching search to move into high gear. Rod Thorn has said he hopes to have coach in place by the NBA Draft. That gives him two months. Latest name in the mix: Blazer assistant and former Knick Monty Williams.
Stan Van Gundy says his brother Jeff is not going anywhere, that he's happy doing what he's doing...working 50 days a year broadcasting NBA games. A lot less stress apparently.
