Should the Rockets really be going all in on Jeff Van Gundy?

Potential struggles for Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets

It’s been pointed out that Van Gundy always employed a legendary big man, including Yao and Patrick Ewing from his tenure as the New York Knicks’ head coach, and the Rockets don’t have that. In fact, the Rockets would have to part with an asset to land a big man, if that’s what Van Gundy wants.

In addition, the NBA has turned into an offensive explosion since Van Gundy stopped coaching, and that was far from his strength, especially during his days as the Rockets head coach.

The Rockets were never near the top in terms of offensive production under Van Gundy, as outlined below.

2003-04-Offensive rating: 24th
2004-05-Offensive rating: 15th
2005-06-Offensive rating: 29th
2006-07-Offensive rating: 15th

But it doesn’t just stop there, as the Rockets had a hard time scoring under Van Gundy as well.

2003-04-89.8 points per game (25th)
2004-05-95.1 points per game (20th)
2005-06-90.1 points per game (29th)
2006-07-97 points per game (17th)

That’s a significant reversal from the current Rockets, who finished within the top-two in scoring in three of Mike D’Antoni’s four seasons at the helm, and top-two in offensive rating in three of D’Antoni’s four seasons in the Space City, with the lone exception being his past season, when the Rockets finished sixth in the same department.

But there is a major factor that could help Van Gundy if he does indeed land the Houston Rockets coaching vacancy.

Next: How JVG can thrive this go-round