ESPN reports that the New York Post says Jeff Van Gundy will be leaving the Rockets (the story isn’t on the NY Post’s Web site yet). If it’s true, it doesn’t surprise me. JVG tends to burn himself out with how much time and effort he puts into coaching.

This could also be a graceful way for him to avoid that uncomfortable conversation with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander about his future. And as we have seen before, when it starts getting uncomfortable for Van Gundy, he has no qualms in walking away. I don’t hold that against him. He has put in 4 long years in Houston. I actually think he wanted to quit a couple of seasons ago, but didn’t want to tarnish his reputation further after being labeled a “quitter” when he left the Knicks.

UPDATE (12:25PM CENTRAL TIME): Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle is on it. He just wrote this story after speaking to Van Gundy and Alexander that the reports are false.

Rather than try a hook shot or lower percentage shot, Yao take it strong to the hole with 58 seconds remaining in the game and is fouled by Matt Harpring. Yao hit both free throws to cut the Jazz lead to 99-97, but the Rockets couldn’t secure defensive rebounds in the game’s final minute to beat the Jazz. Yao scored 29 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the loss that eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs. Click here for more photos from the game.

I know most of you all saw the gut-wrenching loss of the Rockets to the Jazz Saturday night in Game 7 that eliminated Houston, so I won’t go into details about their comeback attempt that wasn’t meant to be. Maybe I’ll do that when I get a chance to watch the game in its entirety on my DVR over the next day or two and dissect all the little things that were responsible for this crushing loss. This is probably similar to what the Rockets’ players will do after the sting from this loss wears off a bit.

Instead, I’ll describe what I saw in the locker room after the game, bring up a few key details from the game, and discuss a little bit about what I think the Rockets need to do next…

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