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Rockets near deal with Van Gundy

HOUSTON - Jeff Van Gundy is in contract negotiations with the Rockets to become their coach two seasons after abruptly leaving the Knicks.

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said Van Gundy told him he wants the job Rudy Tomjanovich left last month.

"I was jumping up and down," Dawson said, describing his reaction after getting the telephone call. "My wife thought I was crazy. You're looking at a happy guy."

Contract talks were expected to be complete within the next few days, he said.

Dawson wouldn't disclose terms but said the Rockets have been in touch with the Knicks, who have Van Gundy under contract through July 31. The Rockets have agreed to compensate New York, the general manager said without elaborating.

Van Gundy, who has been working as a game analyst for TNT, also had been considering coaching the Wizards.

HORNETS PICK FLOYD: Tim Floyd was hired as coach after one of the worst three-year stretches in NBA history with the Bulls. Terms of the contract were not announced.

Team vice president Bob Bass began the news conference with a statement downplaying Floyd's 49-190 record in Chicago, calling the situation with the Bulls "very difficult."

Floyd, who lives in New Orleans and once coached the University of New Orleans, has high expectations: "I believe we can contend for the Eastern Division championship next year."

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jason Kidd insists his right ankle isn't hampering his play in the title series with the Spurs. He also says his conditioning isn't a problem.

So the only explanation for Tony Parker's success against Kidd is Parker's superior play. A depressing thought for the Nets.

Kidd sprained his ankle in the the Eastern Conference final clinching victory over the Pistons. He barely practiced during New Jersey's 10 days off before the NBA Finals.

He hasn't received any breaks against the Spurs. He played 44 minutes in Game 1 and 42 minutes apiece in Games 2 and 3. Game 4 is Wednesday night.

"I can play 48," Kidd insisted Monday. "I didn't lead the league in scoring, so I don't always have to be the scoring leader. Fatigue was not a factor (in Game 3). It was just a matter of being confident and feeling that the ball was going to go in."

But Nets coach Byron Scott isn't so sure. After backup point guard Anthony Johnson's success in a short stint Sunday, Scott might try to maximize Kidd's effectiveness with a bit of down time.

"(Fatigue) was something I talked to J-Kidd about and tried to address with him, because I know he probably needs a few more minutes of rest," Scott said. "But I just have to go with the feel of the game.

"Most of the time (when) I ask him, he says he's fine, but I think if I can get him a couple more minutes (of rest) at the end of the third quarter, early fourth, that probably would do him a lot of good."

CHARLOTTE: It will be called the Bobcats, a nod to the owner who spent $300-million for the franchise, the AP reported. Bob Johnson selected Bobcats over Flight and Dragons. The main color in uniforms and logos will be orange.