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New York Knicks: Ranking the greatest coaches in franchise history

By Maxwell Ogden

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jeff Van Gundy

Tenure: 1995-2002
Regular Season Record: 248-172 (.590)
Postseason Record: 37-32 (.536)
Accolades: 1999 Eastern Conference Champions

One of the most popular coaches in New York Knicks history is undoubtedly Jeff Van Gundy. The man who saved the Knicks from Pat Riley’s disappointing departure helped New York thrive as a contender during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Van Gundy may not be No. 1 on this list, but as the cliche goes, he’s No. 1 in many Knicks fans’ hearts.

Van Gundy’s first full season was in 1996-97, and he made an immediate impact by leading New York to 57 wins. The Knicks regressed the following season, but still managed to win a playoff series before executing one of the most unforgettable postseason runs of all-time during the 1998-99 campaign.

Under Van Gundy’s watch, the Knicks became the first and only No. 8 seed in league history to reach the NBA Finals.

With another 50-win season and a Conference Finals appearance in 2000, Van Gundy carved his name into the Knicks’ record books. The final years of his tenure were marred by questionable decisions in the front office, but Van Gundy is safe and secure in Knicks history.

Van Gundy is second all-time amongst Knicks coaches in postseason wins, and one of four to reach the NBA Finals.

Next: Setting The Standard