I have always like Jeff Van Gundy. I have always had respect for him as a basketball coach, and I also think he did a very admirable job in his time here with what he had to work with and battling constant injuries. However I don't think coaching is good for the guy. As our coach he was constantly run down, downbeat, and just looked and sounded bad and worn down. I think the problem was he took the job SOOOOO serioulsy and truley poured his heart and soul into the job to the point of being unhealthy. Now as an analyst I have noticed a complete 180 in him! He is UPBEAT, happy, witty, and downright fun to listen to! He obviously knows what he is talking about while calling games, and gives great insight to the fans watching the game. I heard him on the 610 this afternoon and did not even recognize that it was him until they said something! For the sake of your health and happiness Jeff stay away from coaching! And keep up the great job calling games!
what'd he say on 610? Yeah he's a really funny announcer. Walton should take MJ's seat. That would be hilarious!
If you didn't think he was funny and upbeat as our coach, then you didn't listen to his radio interviews. He was hilarious. If you thought he wasn't good to listen to, you will think Adelman is a corpse.
No, I loved his interviews as our coach. But he always sounded morbid and most of his humor came from sarcastic remarks to stupid question by reporters.
everyone says JVG is so boring, etc... he was just protecting his team and avoiding drawing attention to "issues." notice how he'd choose his words so carefully in interviews? he just wanted to deflect potential "stories" or quotes. his players have always loved him and it's probably because he's more animated around just the team. he probably has his teams laughing as much as we laugh when he announces games. his off court persona when he coaches is just to shield his team. thats all.
For one game this season I had the privilege of sitting directly in front of Van Gundy's wife, Kim, and two young girls (about 13-14), presumably their daughters or a daughter and a friend. It was kind of an amazing experience because I've never heard a fan at a game talk better basketball than Mrs. Van Gundy and one of the young girls she was with. I assumed it was their daughter. Seriously, Mrs. Van Gundy knows more about basketball than 99.9% of us. It's insane. But I digress - the important part is that we lost the game and the daughters were actually crying. The Van Gundy's take losing hard. It kind of blew my mind. I thought to myself then, "If my daughter cried after every loss there is no way I could coach." He really should stick to announcing. They'll all be happier.
I didn't like the following things about JVG: 1. Offensive strategy at the end of games 2. He's hesitant to coach guys that require more hands on. (Bonzi, Snyder - we really could have used him against Utah) 3. Basically calling the team stupid after losses. If we run our offense we would have been okay 4. Very few layups on the offensive end, we're always shooting with a hand in our face. What happens when Yao or Tracy have an off night 5. Doesn't adjust strategy when other coaches change offensively or defensively. 6. Tride to turn the Rockets in the Knicks by using 3 or 4 on 5 offense with Skip and Chuck 7. Telling a 33% three point shooter to continue shooting when it's not going in.
CAN YOU LET THIS GO?!? This topic has been beaten to death over and over again. He isn't our coach anymore. IL+1
JVG is the only reason I tuned into some of the games. Seriously, the last 2 series have been boring as hell...including the finals. Can't wait till next season.
Funny...he did lead a flawed team to 52Ws, but still needed to be replaced. Announce, do color, Jeff, it's good for what ails ye.
I forever will heart Jeff Van Gundy. He was an awesome coach and although he did have faults, he made the Rockets enjoyable to watch (I just love defensive tactics, awesome!). Anyways, I wish the situation had not ended how it finished, but it happened so there is nothing I can do. I will always be JVG fan. The very day we lost Rudy T, I was calling for Jeff and was ecstatic that he was our choice. I can't wait for the new season to start though, Rick Adelman is another coach I been calling for when I would loose confidence in JVG every once in a while after a terrible loss.
Fire Rick, hire Ms. Van Gundy or Daughter Van Gundy? Honestly, JVG is only "dead serious" in front of the media swarm after/before games when he has his "game face" on. His usually radio interviews are usually fairly light-hearted and humorous. The part I noticed about his commentating this year is that he limits his comments. I'm sure he can talk twice as much as he does, but he tries hard not to dominate the converation over the rather dull Breen and Jackson. But when he speaks, he usually has something interesting to say.
He's a good egg. WYSIWYG, and I like his emphasis on work and excellence. One caveat: He might want to think about hiring Barack Obama's voice coach. Then again, I've heard that Obama's voice coach is Philip Morris.
Great story. When JVG gets his next coaching job, ESPN should do a reality TV show starring the Van Gundys.
I just think it was hilarious saying he was jealous of Tony Parker being a top 5 pg, rich, and marrying Eva. and then asking him if he could only have 2 which they should be.
