Sports

GAMES AGAINST RILEY STILL SPECIAL FOR JEFF

KNICKS NOTES

Similar to players, Jeff Van Gundy says people in his profession get up for facing top coaches. Which is why games against the Heat always remain special for Van Gundy.

“”Like a player, no doubt when you work for somebody and you think that guy is the best at what he does, certainly [you get motivated],”” Van Gundy said before last night”s renewal of the Heat-Knicks rivalry at the Garden. “”That”s why those playoff series have been so draining because you”re right there staring at someone who you think is the best and trying to win. Coaches aren”t any dissimilar to players in that way.””

Van Gundy, who worked for Riley as an assistant throughout Pat”s 1991-1995 Knick reign, says they haven”t spoken since the eighth-seeded Knicks eliminated the top-seeded Heat in the first round last spring. Van Gundy admits the brawl-marred playoff series have taken a toll on their relationship.

“”There”s no problems,”” Van Gundy said. “”There”s no reason to talk a whole lot. We didn”t talk a whole lot when I was working for him. Everything”s fine. It”s tough when you play a team three straight years in the playoffs and go the maximum amount of games all three times. But there”s no problem between coach Riley and I.””

Before the game, Van Gundy reflected on what it was like to work for Riley, saying that a lot of the communication Riley had with his assistants were through the written word.

“”He wanted everything on paper, which I like,”” said Van Gundy, who took over for Don Nelson late in the 1995-96 season. “”You say stupid things off the cuff, but when you have to write it down and put your name on it, it makes you think about what you say. It makes you be very organized.

“”He was the best coach, just great to work for. He really got you prepared because he let you work, very easy to work for. He helped you prepare to be a head coach. It was very challenging.

“”He gave you a lot of input. He expected you to be very informed. When you move over those 12 inches, you have more respect for how off-the-cuff suggestions – like bench that guy, trade him – could drive you crazy.””