The Knicks granted the Philadelphia 76ers permission yesterday to interview Jeff Van Gundy about their head coaching position. Van Gundy has already spoken to Cleveland and Houston about jobs, and he turned down an opportunity to be interviewed by New Orleans.

Along with Larry Brown, who resigned Monday as the 76ers' coach, Van Gundy is believed to be a top candidate in Houston and Cleveland.

Wherever Van Gundy ends up - if he leaves broadcasting and returns to coaching next season - he will be with a team that has more upside than the declining Knicks club he left in December 2001, when he resigned abruptly after nearly six seasons as head coach.