It's pretty much a given that JVG and Silas will be deemed too
expensive for the Raptors' liking. That's why they're not mentioned
as candidates or even as longshots.

There's also a rumour on ESPN that if Toronto gets the no. 1 pick in
the draft this year (and hence Lebron James) then JVG will accept the
head coach position in Toronto. But I think that's unlikely.

Grunwald has already narrowed his list to five coaching candidates:

Kevin O'Neill from the Detroit Pistons
Mike Woodson from the Philadelphia 76ers
Brian James of the Washington Wizards
Dwane Casey from the Seattle Supersonics
Toronto's own Craig Neal

And from NYDailyNews of all places, Mitch Lawrence (the Raptor-
basher) has reported the team has settled on Kevin O'Neill as head
coach...

"The Raptors are set to replace Lenny Wilkens with Kevin O'Neill, who
spent one year with the Knicks as an assistant and is currently Rick
Carlisle's top aide in Detroit. Toronto senior VP and GM Glen
Grunwald talked to Jeff Van Gundy, O'Neill's boss in New York, along
with Detroit's Joe Dumars. O'Neill got glowing recommendations. He's
never been an NBA head coach, but the Raptors think he fits. Unlike
the laid-back Wilkens, he's a fiery workaholic who isn't afraid to
speak his mind. We'll see how that goes over with Vince Carter.
O'Neill comes cheap, a major consideration because the Raptors are
still on the hook for around $7 million with Wilkens. That's why they
weren't interested in Van Gundy or other established coaches. The 46-
year-old O'Neill's only previous head coaching experience came on the
college level at Northwestern, Tennessee and Marquette."

--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, akaz1976 <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Any idea why no one in local publications have mentioned Jeff Van
> Gundy? even just to write him off as too expensive an option? Also
> Paul Silas is not getting much of mention. These are the only
> two 'branded' coaches that i see are available. I am not saying
that
> we should be going with one of these two, just that i surprised
there
> is not more talk revolving around these guys. Tho i have to admit
JVG
> behind the raptor bench would be nice!
>
> Akaz