New York Knicks Followers ought to be a bit extra affected person with regards to accommodating one in all their trendy teaching legends to Madison Sq. Backyard.
By Joey Linn of Clippers on Si, Deputy coach of Los Angeles Clippers Jeff Van Gundy is on de facto depart as a result of it takes “at the least just a few weeks” resulting from a household medical drawback. The Clippers are anticipated to go to the Knicks subsequent week as they function an opponent within the conclusion of a 3 -game home on Wednesday night on the MSG.
Van Gundy, who served on the head of the Knicks for seven seasons, returned to an NBA bench for the primary time because the Houston Rockets administration in 2007. He’s now the primary assistant of Tyronn learn on the clippers’ contact line after spending final season as a coach marketing consultant with the Boston Celtics. This allowed Van Gundy to win his first NBA championship ring, whereas Boston shot the Dallas Mavericks within the NBA ultimate final summer season.
Van Gundy’s return to the affiliation comes after spending 15 seasons as one of many predominant colour commentators on ABC / ESPN alongside its former Knick Mark Jackson. With the longtime man of the Knicks, Mike Breen, the trio referred to as among the most well-known moments within the latest historical past of the NBA, together with many editions of the ultimate.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was proud to battle with Van Gundy earlier this month, when the Clippers took A 105-95 determination in Intuit Dome. Thibodeau beforehand was assistant below Van Gundy, who took the Knicks to the NBA ultimate in 1999.
“He is a good, formidable coach, a big particular person, extraordinarily competent, only a nice human being”, Thibodeau stated Van Gundy’s new alternative (H / T New York Basketball on X). “So I am actually pleased for him.”
Los Angeles, at present a match behind Golden State for the sixth and final automated place within the western convention elimination collection, additionally missing, which faces again ache. The performing coach features had been transmitted to the previous boss of Denver Nuggets and to the triple champion of the NBA Brian Shaw within the interval.