분명한건, 밴 건디가 로켓츠의 발목을 붙잡은 게 아니었다는 것이고, 밴 건디는 로켓츠를 하나로 뭉치게 만들었다는 것이다.


2. CHICAGO (12-18, 11th in Eastern Conference)

현재 불스는 스캇 스카일스의 고압적인 성향이 사라짐에 따라 어느정도 나아지고 있다. 이것이 엄한 감독과의 다툼이 없어짐에 따른 자연적이면서도 단기적인 변동일까? 아니면 임시 감독인 짐 보이런의 힘일까?

그렇다 불스는 코비와의 트레이드 루머와 몇몇 선수들의 연장 계약 실패에 따른 여파를 톡톡히 보고 있었다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 젊은 핵심 선수들은 여전히 승리를 위해선 필수적이다. 물론 GM 존 팩슨은 챈들러 대신 벤 월라스를 선택하고 라마커스 앨드리지 대신 타이러스 토마스를 선택한 것을 되돌리고 싶어할지도 모른다. 하지만 팩슨은 여전히 실패보다는 성공을 더 많이 거둬왔다.

시즌이 끝나고 나면, 시카고 감독 시나리오는 극적으로 풀릴지도 모른다: 셀틱스 감독 닥 리버스는 여전히 보스턴과 장기 계약을 체결하지 않은 상태이고, 불스가 리버스를 고향팀으로 불러들인다면? 만약 셀틱스가 우승하게 된다면, 리버스의 마음이 더 움직일 수도 있지 않을까?


3. MILWAUKEE (12-19, 12th in Eastern Conference)

리그 임원진들 사이에서는 벅스가 보것과 Yi를 제외하고 모두를 트레이드할 수 있다고 선언하는 것이 근접했다는 것이 공공연히 퍼지고 있다. GM 래리 해리스는 고전하고 있고 허브 콜 구단주는 오프시즌때 벅스가 플옵에 나가기를 요구했다. 그리고 벅스는 소용돌이치며 하락하고 있다. 피스톤즈에게 45점차 대패 했을때, 그 게임을 지켜본 한 리그 임원진은 벅스에 대해 다음과 같이 말했다. "5분후에 저 팀은 끝이네요."

현재 벅스 임원들은 콜 구단주와 해리스 GM 사이에서 커뮤니케이션이 부족해 지고 있다고 말하고 있다. 또한 벅스 관계자들은 콜 구단주가 Yi의 재능에 대해서 - 비록 리그에 많은 관계자들과 감독들이 이 중국 루키의 포텐셜에 대해서 깊은 인상을 받고 있지만 - 해리스 GM이 너무 억지로 강매했다고 느끼고 있다는 것을 넌지시 내비쳤다. Larry Krystkowiak 감독은 콜 구단주 취향의 사람이고 초기의 프런트 숙청으로부터 살아남은 사람이지만, 장기적인 해결책은 아니라고 보고있다.

만약 해리스가 나가게되면, 구단주는 전 소닉스 GM인 릭 선드 - 밀워키에서 선수로서 첫 커리어를 시작했던 - 를 선택할지도 모른다. 콜 구단주와 친한 소스에 따르면 덕 콜린스도 구단주의 레이더 망 아래에 있다고 한다. 하지만 콜 구단주가 콜린스를 TV밖으로 끌어낼 만큼의 돈을 지불할 수 있을지는 의문이다.


4. MIAMI (8-24, 15th in Eastern Conference)

여기 팻 라일리를 매일밤 잠을 설치게 만드는 의문점이 있다: 쇠퇴한 히트 로스터와 어쩌면 일어날지도 모르는 감독직 해고, 그리고 재계약한 드웨인 웨이드를 파는 것?

웨이드는 동부 최악의 팀에서 뛰고있고, 웨이드의 위대함조차도 히트에게 경쟁력을 가져다주지 못하고 있다. 필사적인 임시방편의 시도에도 웨이드는 부상당하고 부진한 선수들과 함께 뛰고 있다. 그 결과 히트는 동부에서 최악의 성적을 기록중이다. 이해할 수 없게도 뉴욕 닉스의 추격을 따돌리고 말이다.

히트에게 나쁜 뉴스는 샤킬 오닐의 연봉은 2010 시즌이 끝나야 만기가 된다. 그리고 그때 웨이드는 FA를 선택할 수 있다. 웨이드는 사우스 플로리다에서 가장 큰 스포츠 스타지만, 얼마나 오래 라일리가 히트의 황제로 남아있을지를 궁금히 여겨야만 한다. 아무튼, 레이커스시절 이후의 우승컵을 안았던 라일리는 지금 마이애미를 두 번 리빌딩해왔다. 그리고 라일리가 단조로운 현재의 로스터 안에서 (리빌딩을 통해) 다시 우승을 만들어낼 수 있을 거라고는 믿긴 어렵다.


5. NEW YORK (8-22, 14th in Eastern Conference)

수요일 밤에 매디슨 스퀘어 가든에서 부끄러운 1패를 추가하기전에 아이재아 토마스 감독은 닉스가 챔피언십에 도전할 만 한 팀이라고 선언했다. 그 후 한 라이벌 GM은 궁금히 여겼다:"닉스는 지금 디리그에 있는 건가요?"

오직 다른 마이너리그 농구 단체가 옛 CBA를 망친 후에 닉스 사장과 감독이 된 토마스를 계속 데리고 있었으면 좋았으려만. 아무도 닉스가 다시 무시무시해지더라도 놀라지 않을 것이다. 하지만 아마 이번 시즌을 포기하는 데에는 많은 시간이 걸리지 않을 것이다. 토마스는 여전히 자신의 직책을 놓치지 않고 있다. 왜냐하면 뉴욕에서 마지막 토마스 지지자인 짐 돌란 구단주 덕분이기에 그렇다.

토마스는 챔피언십을 따낼 때까지는 떠나지 않을거라고 약속했다. 물론 뉴욕의 두려움은 돌란이 토마스의 말에 수긍할 거라는 것이다. 모두들 그렇지 않을 거라고 말하지만, 아마도 그럴 것이다. 토마스가 선수들의 분투에 어리둥절하는 체 하는 만큼, MSG에 라커룸 안팎에서는 토마스가 감독으로 잘하고 있는지 의심스러워하고 있다. 토마스 감독이 상대를 위해 준비를 하고 그것도 몇시간 씩이나 준비한다니 놀랍고도, 이건 논란거리다.

Adrian Wojnarowski is the NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Send Adrian a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Updated on Thursday, Jan 3, 2008 4:04 pm, EST

On learning a new system:

"그게 정말 힘들다고 생각하진 않아요. 농구란게 항상 그런거죠. 그것이 제가 하는 일이구요. 나가서 플레이하는 것 말이죠. 어떤 시스템에서든 전 잘 해낼 겁니다."

On the Mike James-Juwan Howard trade:

"주완이 떠나게 돼서 유감이네요. 주완은 저와 제 가족에서 정말 좋은 친구였습니다. 훌륭한 리더쉽을 갇추고 있죠. 야오가 부상으로 빠졌을때, 정말 좋은 활약을 보였죠. 주완의 활약은 지난 시즌에 우리팀이 성공적인 모습을 보일수 있었던 또 다른 원인이었습니다. 주완이 떠나게 돼서 정말 유감입니다. 하지만 저와 주완은 이게 비지니스라는 걸 충분히 이해하고 있습니다."

"정말 분명하게 해두고 싶은건, 저와 마이크는 좋은 관계를 유지하고 있습니다. 마이크가 떠난이후에도 말이죠. 제 생각은 그렇습니다. 정말 마이크와 저는 다 풀어버려서 아무런 문제도 없습니다. 저는 사실 마이크가 우리팀에 와줬으면 했습니다. 지난해 마이크가 미네소타로 갔을때, 마이크가 우리팀에 와야한다고 애기했었습니다. 전 마이크의 플레이 스타일을 좋아합니다. 코트에서 언제나 많은 열정을 가지고 플레이합니다. 마이크는 우리팀에서 또다른 스코어링 옵션이 될게 분명합니다. 친구로서 마이크의 컴백을 진심으로 환영합니다."

On Bonzi Wells:

"전 반지가 컴백하길 원합니다. 저와 반지 역시 좋은 관계입니다. 반지가 정말 우리팀에 도움이 되리라고 생각합니다. 반지는 릭이 우리팀에 와서 정말로 행복합니다. 그리고 릭 밑에서 뛰기를 바라고 있습니다. 저는 반지가 새크라멘토에서 좋은 활약을 펼쳤다는 걸 알고 있습니다. 반지는 우리팀에 있길 원합니다."

On watching the playoffs:

"유타의 2라운드를 지켜보면서, 정말로 유타가 얼마나 좋은 팀인지 느꼈습니다. 몬스터 같았습니다. 정말 깊은 뎁쓰를 가진 팀이죠. 우리팀과의 1라운드 시리즈에서 기리첵,하프링, 밀샙과 같은 벤치 플레이어들은 정말로 효과적으로 플레이했습니다. 다음 시리즈에서 이 선수들이 부진해도, 다른 선수들이 활약했죠. 유타는 깊이 있는 팀이고 뛰어난 리바운딩 팀입니다. 우리는 그들을 당해낼 수 없었죠."

On the Trail Blazers' choice between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant:

"만약에 제가 포틀랜드라면 오든을 픽할 겁니다. 그건 포틀랜드에 있어서 정말 좋은 선택입니다. 잭 랜돌프가 있고 , 언빌리버블한 로이도 있습니다. 자렛 잭도 있구요. 앞날이 창창한 젊은 스쿼드를 가지게 됩니다. 만약 다함께 잡을 수 있다면 어떤 좋은 결과를 볼 수 있을 겁니다."

"제가 듀란트 나이 때에는 벤치프레스 185 파운드를 들지 못했었죠."

"듀란트는 정말 믿을 수 없는 재능을 가지고 있습니다. 그게 바로 제가 대학 농구를 보게 만든 이유였죠. 듀란트의 플레이를 매일밤 지켜보는 건 정말 신나는 일이였습니다. 6'9"나 되는 선수가 대학 무대에서 정말 대단하게도 25득점 - 11리바운드를 기록했죠. 특히나 터프한 컨퍼런스에서 신입생이 말이죠. 매일 밤 이런 스탯을 보여주는 건 바로 그가 특별한 선수라는 거죠."

"제가 리그에 처음 들어왔을때, 한손에 각각 45 파운드 짜리를 들고서도 행복했습니다. 처음 들어 올렸을때 스스로 자랑스러웠죠. 전 그 이전에 전혀 웨이트를 하지 않았고 다듬어지지 않은 상태였죠. 요즘 선수들이 훨씬 더 크고 강하며, 더 빠르다는 걸 알고 있습니다. 저도 열심히 노력해야만 했죠."(티맥은 현재 벤치프레스 185파운드를 18-20번 정도 들 수 있다고 말했다.)

"친구들을 집으로 초대해서 어울리면서 기분이 많이 좋아졌습니다. 여전히 게임에 뛰고 있는 느낌입니다. 제 등은 어떠한 문제도 없습니다. 제 훈련량이 증가될때, 다시 한번 와코(물리치료사가 살고 있는곳)를 방문할 겁니다."

And on Jeff Van Gundy:

"제프는 감독으로서 정말 믿을 수 없는 일을 해냈습니다. 우리팀은 52승이나 거뒀으니깐요. 야오가 두달 반을 결장했지만, 저와 41살먹은 센터와 주완 같은 베테랑 선수들과 함께 이뤄냈죠. 정규 시즌에서 우리가 해낸 건 제프가 있어서 입니다. 전 정말로 제프에게 경의를 표했습니다. 우리가 이만큼 성공적인 시즌을 보낼지 생각지도 못했습니다. 모두 제프 밴 건디 덕분이죠. 우리를 하나로 뭉치게 만들었고 자신감을 심어 주었습니다. 모든 걸 밴 건디가 이끌어낸겁니다."

"전 제프가 왜 로켓츠 감독 자리에서 물러났는지 모르겠습니다. 제프는 훌륭한 코치이자 인간적으로도 훌륭한 사람입니다. 곧 다시 리그에서 볼 수 있으리라 봅니다. 현재는 릭이 우리팀의 감독이죠. 릭이 주문하는 모든 걸 따를 겁니다."

"제프가 미디어에서 해설위원으로 일할 때도 감독에 있을 때와 같은 모습을 보여준다면, 많은 사람들이 제프를 좋아하게 될겁니다. 제프는 겉과 속이 일치하는 사람입니다. 제프에 대해서 터무니 없는 말을 들을 때도 있죠. 가령,'와, 제프 밴 건디는 정말 겉보기와는 다르네.' 전 웃음만 나올 뿐이었죠."


출처 : http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2007/06/tmac_oneverything_1.html

May 23, 2007, 10:20AM
It's Dream time for Yao at workouts with Olajuwon

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

His voice in Yao Ming's ear, Hakeem Olajuwon planted a forearm in the small of Yao's back, and one generation of Rockets royalty shoved the next toward something far greater than a different spot on the Toyota Center floor.

Beneath the championship banners he brought and the No. 34 no Rockets player will wear again, Olajuwon demonstrated and lectured, shared and inspired.

For a little more than an hour Tuesday, the greatest of all Rockets players put the latest in the team's lineage of star centers in his classroom, showing jump hooks and "Jack Sikma" jumpers, spin moves and drop steps, all to make Yao the dominant force of Olajuwon's vision.

"How do you dominate the game?" Olajuwon asked as he and Yao moved from the left block to the right. "You're hardworking. You have the conditioning. You have the shot. You have everything. Now, you need to dominate."

Olajuwon spoke of Yao using his jump hook as his basic move.

"To the middle. No. More balance. To here. Balance. Balance. If you can get the jump hook any time, it's all day. All day."

Olajuwon showed him his spin toward the baseline.

"No. Don't spin out. Spin in. All right. Nice move."

He showed Yao a jump shot stepping toward the defender.

"That's (former Sonics star) Jack Sikma. No. No. You're bringing it down to the little guy. Where's your elbow? This should be your move. That's your move. Who's going to stop that? That's a go-to move. You feel comfortable. Balance. Balance. Balance. Balance. All day."

With everything Olajuwon demonstrated, fundamentals direct from the lessons of Guy Lewis, Moses Malone and Carroll Dawson, the idea was to make Yao dominate.

"You can dominate," Olajuwon, 7-0, said, nodding toward the banner honoring him for his NBA-record 3,830 blocked shots. "You can get all new records. Do you believe that? You should.

"You should be scoring at will. You should be scoring easy. Easy. They are in trouble on defense. They are in trouble on offense. They have no answer. No answer."

After the time on the court with Olajuwon, Yao could not argue.

"For a young player, not many get this chance," Yao, 26, said. "I'm the honored one of those. Next time, I would love to have more time to be (taught) by him.

"The mentality is the biggest difference between him and me right now. I hope, not far in the future, I can be the same thing. Like him."

More in the works

Yao's agent, John Huizinga, said he has begun trying to schedule more sessions in which Yao can work with Olajuwon. That might depend on whether Yao has a procedure to remove a toenail. He has several appointments this week to determine whether to undergo that minor surgery.

Olajuwon, 44, said he enjoyed working with Yao so much that he'd be happy to do it again.

"It was so much fun to work with a great player like him," Olajuwon said. "He has so much potential. It's scary to think what he can really do. By just adding little things to his game, he can raise his level.

"The important thing for him because he is playing so well already is just how to dominate the game. He has all the advantages, and he's so skilled. (There are) little things he can do to make him be a dominant player consistently. It's scary to see what he can do in the future."

There were light moments in the workout.

While working on a move that is part of Yao's repertoire and on which he looked much more adept than on some of Olajuwon's spins, Olajuwon pointed to his blocked shots banner and said: "I'm a shot-blocker. And I'm discouraged."

On a move toward the middle, when Yao, 7-6, did not raise an elbow high enough to protect the ball, Olajuwon smacked Yao's elbow and said, "Use these."

"I know," Yao said. "On this point, Dikembe (Mutombo) is better than you."

Trying out the moves

Yao is scheduled to return to China early next month for a vacation and to begin training with the Chinese national team. He could play in one or two exhibition tournaments, he said, and try some of the moves Olajuwon showed him.

"Most of his moves are easy to learn, easy to watch on TV," Yao said. "But when you do that, with contact on your body, that's totally different. So I need to do what he's going to teach me every day, a couple hundred times a day, make myself used to it. After that, I need to play some live games, maybe use it in a national team game. And then, back to the season. I hope I can get a lot improved.

"The biggest difference between him and me is the mentality. He's got two championship rings in a row. I'm not saying I found out today, but I can hear very strongly from him, 'You are the biggest player on the court. You need to go in and change the game. You need to be dominant.' He repeated that time and time again.

"I feel a little bit different. I feel his heart."

For all that they share and shared Tuesday, that was perhaps the most valuable thing Olajuwon could give Yao.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com

- 반지 웰스, 제프 밴 건디와 새 감독이 될 릭 아델만에 대해 이야기하다

혹시 잔류? 반지는 플레이어 옵션을 가지고 있죠.

Bonzie Wells Sets the Record Straight

Last Edited: Tuesday, 22 May 2007, 6:20 PM CDT
Created: Tuesday, 22 May 2007, 6:20 PM CDT

MyFoxHouston.com

HOUSTON -- In his first interview since Bonzi Wells prematurely ended his season with the Rockets April 9, Wells told FOX 26 Sports he has no hard feelings toward former Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy. He says he is thrilled at the expected hiring of Rick Adelman as the Rockets new head coach and he says if the business side of things can be worked out he would like to return to the Rockets.

Wells left the Rockets with five games to go in the regular season because he indicated at the time he felt like he was hurting team chemistry. In the interview with FOX 26 Wells sets the record straight about his relationship with Van Gundy.

"I felt like we had a good team and I thought I was the missing link. I still do. Coach (Van Gundy) didn't see it that way. He thought he was going the right way. Coach Van Gundy didn't think I fit in. He came to me as a man and told me that. I looked into his eyes and I could see that he hurt for me. I respected that. He told me that I could ask to be waived and I told him I didn't want to be anywhere else. I hated the way it ended because I really started to appreciate him, " Wells said.

Van Gundy is not suprised at Wells comments about him.

"Perception and reality are often very different. I never thought it was personal between Bonzi and I. I think it's great for Bonzi with Rick coming in because he has a proven history with him. I think it could work out great, " Van Gundy said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

Wells believes the Rockets expected hiring of Rick Adelman is almost like divine intervention.

"I thought it was like God sent him here for me. Rick Adelman is a great coach. He's the best coach I have ever had. He really knows how to relate to his players. He does a great job of letting guys be themselves, " Wells said.

Wells played for Adelman for one year when both were in Sacramento.

"I love coach Adelman. With Coach Adelman coming here I really don't want to be anywhere else," Wells said.

However there is a business side to all of this. Before last season Wells signed a two year contract with the Rockets with the right to opt out after year one. The total value of the contract is about $4.4 million.

"I have a decision to make and so do they. I wanted to be here even if Jeff Van Gundy was going to be here. It's still early. I think they need a guy like me," Wells said.

Wells doesn't rule out opting out and then re-signing with Houston.

2006-07 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

Position	Player, Team (1st Team Votes)	Points
Forward	Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (125)	634
Forward	Tim Duncan, San Antonio (94)	573
Center	Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix (36)	351
Guard	Steve Nash, Phoenix (129)	645
Guard	Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (128)	643

2006-07 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM

Position	Player, Team (1st Team Votes)	Points
Forward	LeBron James, Cleveland (64)	494
Forward	Chris Bosh, Toronto (8)	234
Center	Yao Ming, Houston (38)	333
Guard	Gilbert Arenas, Washington	295
Guard	Tracy McGrady, Houston (10)	278

2006-07 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM

Position	Player, Team (1st Team Votes)	Points
Forward	Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (5)	225
Forward	Carmelo Anthony, Denver (1)	142
Center	Dwight Howard, Orlando (1)	108
Guard	Dwyane Wade, Miami (1)	241
Guard	Chauncey Billups, Detroit	86

- 야오 올여름 드림과 훈련

드림 옹과 훈련을 검토 중이라고.. 야오는 복도 많네요. 킹콩에다 마운틴 그리고 드림옹까지 ㅎㅎ
발톱수술과 함께 올여름엔 중국 국대와 같이 연습을 할꺼라고.. (중국 올림픽 대비?)

Yao & Hakeem?

Rockets center Yao Ming said he has discussed working with former Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon in the offseason.

"It would be a great chance for me, if I can learn from him, one of the best centers in the NBA history, and particularly a legend for the Rockets," Yao said. "I would love to. I'm working on it."

Yao's summer plans

Yao Ming will have what he called a "small surgery" on a toe, possibly preventing the troublesome toenail from growing back. He said he expected that procedure to keep him from working out for only "a couple weeks."

He said he will likely train with the Chinese national team for a short period this summer but will have no competitions.

"I need some training," he said. "I'll take the first month off and then get back to training and work on my skills."

Reports: Adelman interviews with Rockets for Van Gundy's job

© 2007 The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Former NBA coach Rick Adelman has talked to the Houston Rockets about the coaching job currently held by Jeff Van Gundy, according to media reports Tuesday night.

KRIV-TV, citing anonymous league sources, reported Adelman flew to Southampton, N.Y., for a meeting at the home of Rockets owner Leslie Alexander.

The Houston Chronicle, citing a person with knowledge of the team's decision-making, reported that general manager Daryl Morey also was part of the meeting.

Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis declined comment on the reports when contacted by The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

Van Gundy has one year left on his contract, but it's not guaranteed. There's a timeframe for him to decide whether to return, and the Rockets can terminate him without owing him any more money after June 30.

Van Gundy has been in Houston four years without winning a playoff series, something the club hasn't done since 1997. The Rockets went 52-30 this season despite long absences by stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, then lost to Utah in the first round.

Morey has told the Chronicle that Van Gundy "is open to coaching again in certain scenarios," adding that each side has goals "for things to be different."

Adelman has coached Portland, Golden State and Sacramento. He was out of coaching this year after being fired by the Kings following last season. He took the Trail Blazers to the NBA finals twice.

Notes: Mutombo once again considering retirement

HOUSTON -- Dikembe Mutombo is planning to wag his finger at would-be dunkers for at least one more season.

Or is he?

The Rockets reserve center is once again considering retirement after having a reduced role in the second half of the season and playoffs.

Mutombo said he'd take some time over the summer months to make his decision. Mutombo and forward Chuck Hayes are the lone free agents on the team.

"I just spent the week with my kids and talked to my wife about it again," Mutombo said. "I'm going to see how my summer goes. I'm just frustrated with the fact that there was a chance for us to go to the second round."

Mutombo, the league's second oldest player, will turn 41 in June. He initially said after the All-Star break that he didn't want to leave behind the game because he was having too much fun. However, the center has had second thoughts since playing reduced minutes over the final two months of the season. He played a total of 40 minutes in the playoffs.

"After contributing the way that I did over the course of the season, I felt like I did deserve a little bit of time to play," Mutombo said. "I was disappointed about it and I'm frustrated that we're still not playing."

The Rockets center helped keep Houston among the top teams in the Western Conference even though Yao Ming missed almost two months with a fractured right tibia. During Yao's absense, Mutombo averaged 5.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He moved past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earlier this season into second place on the NBA's all-time blocked shots list, although he said he won't play long enough to catch Hakeem Olajuwon.

The center will focus most of his attention this summer on opening the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hospital is named after his mother, who passed away nine years ago.

"I'll probably think about the people in Africa and how I can help change their lives right now," Mutombo said. "After that, I'll think about basketball and if I want to do that."

- 밴 건디, 로켓츠 코치직에서 물러나다.

Rockets fire Van Gundy as coach

By CHRIS DUNCAN AP Sports Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was fired Friday, less than two weeks after Houston made yet another first-round playoff exit.

The Rockets went 52-30 this season but lost to Utah in seven games, raising the possibility Van Gundy was going to resign or be dismissed. This was the Rockets' third first-round loss in four seasons under Van Gundy.

Van Gundy had one nonguaranteed year left on his contract, meaning the team held the option to retain him. The team reportedly has contacted Rick Adelman, the former coach of Portland, Golden State and Sacramento.

General manager Daryl Morey scheduled an afternoon news conference. The firing comes days after Morey took over for the retiring Carroll Dawson following the Rockets' playoff elimination.

"Obviously, it is a disappointment for me personally with the decision they made to fire me," Van Gundy told Houston television station KRIV. "I was hopeful all the way up to last night they would change their mind."

The Rockets said in a statement they talked with Van Gundy during a "prolonged negotiating period," and he was offered a position with the team as a senior consultant.

"He asked for, and was granted, additional time to evaluate his situation with the agreement that we would begin looking into other candidates," Morey said. "During that process it became clear that Jeff did not want to continue in any capacity with the team other than as head coach."

Van Gundy led the Rockets to a 182-146 record in four seasons. But Houston went 7-12 in three postseason appearances and more was expected from teams anchored by All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

The biggest disappointment was losing Game 7 at home to Utah, which then took advantage of Golden State's first-round upset of Dallas and advanced to the Western Conference finals by beating the Warriors in five games.

"You have to win that seventh game at home, certainly," Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle. "If you win, you have a chance to continue on."

McGrady dropped to 0-6 in playoff series with the loss to the Jazz.

"I feel bad that I wasn't able to help McGrady and Yao and the rest of the guys get over the hump ... and also that I won't be with them as they go on because I know they have a lot of success ahead of them," Van Gundy told the Chronicle.

Van Gundy now may be headed back to one of his old jobs. He was scheduled to work as a guest analyst for ESPN on Friday night's playoff game between Phoenix and San Antonio.

Van Gundy was working in television when the Rockets hired him before the 2003-04 season. Before that, Van Gundy coached the New York Knicks for seven seasons, leading them to the NBA finals in 1999.

He joined the Rockets as the 10th head coach in franchise history in 2003. Van Gundy's career coaching record is 430-318, but only 44-44 in the postseason.

April 21, 2007, 2:12AM
Rockets vs. Jazz: How they match up

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle