It’s time for Van Gundy to go

The Houston Rockets and head coach Jeff Van Gundy have officially parted ways.

The team announced today that Van Gundy had been relieved of his duties after four seasons in Houston.

It’s about time.

Van Gundy compiled a 182-146 record with the Rockets, but he was a flop in the postseason.

Under Van Gundy’s watch, the Rockets were 7-12 in three postseason appearances. And get this: they couldn’t get past the first round even though they were led by two of the game’s biggest stars.

If a team can’t get out of the first round with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, someone HAS to go. And it shouldn’t be T-Mac or Yao.

Van Gundy’s teams were among the NBA’s best, defensively, each season. Only the San Antonio Spurs (90.0) and Detroit Pistons (91.8), likely Finals participants, allowed fewer points per game than the Rockets (92.1) this season.

But defense, at least in Houston, doesn’t win championships. It can’t even buy a ticket to the second round.

Failing to progress in the postseason, however, can result in a one-way ticket out of town.