Content provided in partnership with

Van Gundy is good; Riley is better: is Pat Riley getting that championship itch again—at the expense of Stan Van Gundy?

Sporting News, The, July 22, 2005 by Ira Winderman

Pat Riley has spent two seasons in the shadows. But those who know the Heat president realize he is not one to hide from a challenge. That's why this season could prove to be the ultimate test for his sideline successor, Stan Van Gundy.

Based on his record, Van Gundy would appear to have as much stability as any NBA coach this side of Gregg Popovich. But because of how the Heat's season ended, with Shaquille O'Neal complaining about a lack of touches during the final minutes of the Eastern Conference finals and Damon Jones allowed to hobble too long on a bum ankle, doubts have accompanied the team into the offseason.

So has the possibility of Riley reemerging on the bench.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

"I'm not ever going to rule it out," Riley said after the Heat's disappointing finish against the Pistons. "I may take a little bit more of an active participation in some things. But, I think, for the most part, I'm content with what I'm doing."

From "active participation" to "for the most part," plenty has been read between the lines.

Van Gundy certainly is in a unique situation. No other current coach works under a Hall of Fame coach (with Riley, it's only a matter of time). In fact, few front offices employ executives with the credentials to step into a huddle. Even in those cases, it's not as though Indiana's Larry Bird or Boston's Danny Ainge has displayed any interest in getting close to a bench. And no one in New Orleans is giving much thought to another sideline opportunity for Allan Bristow. In fact, in recent years, only one executive (the Knicks' Isiah Thomas) has been perceived as lurking.

For his part, Riley has attempted to quell speculation in Miami. "I made a comment that day, and it turned out to be sort of a firestorm," he says. "I simply meant I want to help."

He also insists no Heat player (and there have been plenty of rumors amid the ongoing contract negotiations with Shaq) has requested he replace Van Gundy.

"Never," he says. "No. No. No. That has not happened."

Van Gundy's brother, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, went on a radio show and spoke of the need for clearer signals from Riley. Jeff also mentioned that if Riley were to step in sooner rather than later there at least would be immediate opportunities for his brother to coach elsewhere.

Though admirable, the concern is misplaced. As it is, after Nate McMillan's defection from Seattle to Portland, Stan Van Gundy is tied for the fourth-longest coaching tenure with his current team, behind only Jerry Sloan in Utah, Popovich in San Antonio and Rick Adelman in Sacramento.

Yes, Riley stepped down when his team was down. Yes, he endured more playoff misery than success during his eight seasons on the Heat bench. But, at the end of the day, he remains the best coach under contract to the organization. He has earned the right to have any level of involvement he wishes.

For Van Gundy, any change in his job status would be nothing more than another lesson learned from a master.

speed read

The Clippers seem to have mastered the art of losing year-round. This time, the wishful thinking that they could sign Ray Allen went pool within a week of the start of the free-agent period. Last year, the heartbreak was delivered by Kobe Bryant. Now they're talking about a run at Cuttino Mobley, a Clipper if ever there were one.

INSIDE DISH

Perhaps Nate McMillan's departure from the Sonics shouldn't have come as such a shock. "It's something that I basically knew at the start of the season," he says. "I prepared myself to move on." If that is the case, McMillan has nothing to apologize for. His forward-thinking approach in his final season with the Sonics helped the team develop PG Luke Ridnour and C Jerome James, among others. In no way did he have the look of a coach preparing to bail to the highest bidder. * Although the Raptors might have made the politically correct move by allowing center C Rafael Araujo to skip summer league play and train with the Brazilian national team, it would be difficult to find a 2004 first-round pick more in need of an offseason tutorial with his NBA team. * Nets coach Lawrence Frank was so taken by the strong play of Heat PG Keyon Dooling in the first round of the playoffs that Frank showed up for a face-to-face meeting with Dooling on the second day of the free-agent negotiating period. Dooling shot 71.4 percent from the field and 66.7 percent on 3-point attempts in the Heat's first-round sweep of the Nets. * Though the Magic once spoke of shifting shoot-first PG Steve Francis to shooting guard, that might not necessarily happen under new coach Brian Hill. Hill says he might give SF Grant Hill some minutes at shooting guard next season in an effort to upgrade Orlando's versatility. * Having taken Arizona State PF Ike Diogu with the ninth pick in the draft, Golden State appears poised to play PF Troy Murphy at center, casting further question on the six-year, $42 million contract given to C Adonal Foyle last summer.

Van Gundy is good; Riley is better: is Pat Riley getting that championship itch again—at the expense of Stan Van Gundy?

Sporting News, The, July 22, 2005 by Ira Winderman

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports