Van Gundy knows how to win with what he has and gets guys to buy into his system of running things.
He didn't leave Orlando on bad terms. If you think that, you should talk to some people that religiously follow Magic basketball. I haven't seen anything from any Magic fan that says they're happy SVG isn't the coach of the team anymore. He got shafted, big time. The negative nancies in Orlando were Otis and Dwight. SVG was unfortunately in the middle of the mess. Did he handle some things poorly? Yes, but it was a situation that wasn't normal.
As for him winning the most "disliked" coach poll a few years ago, that's just a silly reason not to hire a guy, especially when you have respected, level-headed players like Redick (who didn't get along with him for quite some time) saying differently.
Dwight poisoned the kool-aid in Orlando. He hated SVG and before his whole debacle, got everyone else to buy into it as well.
Orlando had lousy defenders outside of Dwight during his time there, yet, they were a good defensive team. In part because Dwight is great at the rim, but also in large part because SVG knows how to get players to buy into a defensive system. You don't need great defenders to have a great defense. You just have to understand defensive concepts and be willing to work.
IF the Bucks don't keep Ellis or Jennings, SVG is far and away the best choice. Let him have a say in who to pursue in free agency and get guys he can work with on the team. The East isn't great. It's not going to take a ton to improve on this season.
Sampson would just be a bad hire. If you're looking for someone that can get along with players, just go with Ewing or Shaw.
I may be wrong, but I doubt it "I do have one question: Have you ever seen Gollum, John Clayton and Sam Cassell in the same place before?" - Charles Barkley