The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Potential Philadelphia 76ers Assistant Coach Candidates

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Van Gundy

Jeff Van Gundy is one of the names in the running for the head coaching position of the Houston Rockets.   With the news that Mike D’Antoni is in with Houston, there is a sense that Gundy  may be interested in getting back into the “NBA groove” and the assistant coaching role with the Philadelphia 76ers would be the perfect opportunity to allow him to do so.

Gundy is a controversial NBA coaching figure – you either love him or you want no part of him.  As a long time head coach, his record ran 430 wins and 318 losses and his team only missed the play-offs in two of the eleven seasons he coached – in 2001-2002 with the New York Knicks where he resigned after a 9-10 start and in the 2005-2006 season where he coached the Houston Rockets to a 34-48 season.  Gundy was also a name tossed around in the vacant head coaching position with the Minnesota Timberwolves as well.

The reason so many run from the man is the controversial past. In May 2005, Van Gundy was fined $100,000 by the NBA for accusing referees of targeting Houston Rockets center Yao Ming. Van Gundy blamed Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for causing the referees’ alleged bias. It was the largest fine handed down to a coach in NBA history and was a major embarrassment to the NBA. Two years later, on May 18, 2007, he was fired from the Houston Rocket’s head coaching position after the team’s game seven, first-round playoff loss to the Utah Jazz. He has not coached since, but has been actively engaged in the NBA as a television commentator.

Gundy has been tied to virtually every head coaching position since leaving the Rocket’s position, but invariably teams turn to other candidates.  His association with the Philadelphia 76ers would place him back into the plus side of head coaching opportunities going forward.

Gundy coached center Yao Ming at Houston, and the Philadelphia 76ers are introducing Joel Embiid to the NBA this season.  That alone is enough of a reason to consider Gundy.  Well that, and his 9 out of 11 play off appearances.

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