The New York Post is reporting Jeff Van Gundy could replace Mike Woodson as coach of the struggling New York Knicks should owner James Dolan opt to make a change.
According to the newspaper, Woodson will lead the Knicks when they face cross-borough rival Brooklyn on Thursday, but it's unclear how much longer he will survive if the team's current nine-game losing streak persists.
In an interview with The Post earlier this month, Dolan voiced his support for Woodson, telling the newspaper "I have a lot of support in Woodson, and one thing I can say is he has the respect of all the players. They respect him."
Some are questioning that support now after a week in which it was reported veteran forwards Metta World Peace and Kenyon Martin had a "heated" exchange prior to Sunday's loss against New Orleans and guard Iman Shumpert was captured on video shouting at star forward Carmelo Anthony on the sideline during the actual game.
Anthony later told The Post the Knicks are fighting confidence and "mentality'' issues, and fixing that often falls on the coach.
According to the newspaper, Van Gundy and Dolan were previously not on speaking terms after Van Gundy abruptly quit as coach early in the 2001-02 season. The two exchanged pleasantries at the Garden last season before a game Van Gundy was broadcasting and he will be back at the Garden Dec. 11, working the Knicks-Bulls game.
New team president Steve Mills also worked with Van Gundy for two-plus seasons in his first stint with the Knicks when his title was executive vice president of franchise operations. The Post also speculates a Van Gundy return as coach could pve the way for Bobcats assistant Patrick Ewing coming back as his associate coach. Dolan and Ewing repaired their broken relationship last season when Ewing worked for MSG Network periodically.
During an interview on ESPN Radio last June, Van Gundy called his decision to walk away from the Knicks in 2002 "stupid" and "something I regret to this day. I live with it every day and I regret it. And I let my emotions come into it. And I was just emotionally spent. I made a bad decision and I quit....I had a great job with the Knicks.''
Van Gundy posted a 248-172 record during his time as Knicks coach.
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