JVG loves Euro players

worzel gummidge · May 2, 2009

I was checking for updates/SL news on players whose draft rights are held by the Rockets and found this which is from a couple months back:

NYP Article URL

March 6, 2009

Can't imagine a more suitable time to divulge, as promised, how Jeff ruthlessly ran Frederic Weis out of the country. Because of the then-Knicks coach's boorish behavior, the 7-foot Frenchman has been branded the worst draft choice (No. 15 in '99 when Ron Artest was still on tap) in Knicks history.

When debating this issue, keep in mind Weis never was expected by interim GM Ed Tapscott to become any more than a solid role player understudying Ewing. He was to be just a piece, so all his "stats" since are irrelevant, it says here.

It's also important to remember Jeff was flexing muscle at the time. He was fresh from undermining Ernie Grunfeld out of his president/GM job and reaching the Finals on the lengthy defensive forte of Marcus Camby (and Latrell Sprewell), whom he refused to play early and often to spite his later deposed boss (and himself) to avenge trading Charles Oakley .

The night Dave Checketts fired Grunfeld on orders from above (it was either-or, Marc Lustgarten dcreed), he called to inform me of his tortured decision.

"Jeff will be fired immediately after the season," he vowed... a plan that had to be postponed due to unforeseen clement success.

OK, so here are the Knicks preparing for the summer league and Weis shows up. Though unsigned, he'd agreed to work out, but it was implicit he could play but a couple games on account of French national team obligations.

"Those first workouts were indicative of what was in store for Fred," said a forward observer. "He had little English skills, especially when you hear most Americans speak 'English.' He was capable of speaking and understanding, but it was at best, faulty.

"Jeff began drills by propping Frederic first in line, explaining how the drill has to be done, using NY slang and NBA basketball jargon," the source continues.

"Fred is instantly lost, comprehending maybe half of what's being said. The drills go very badly. Jeff loses patience after two minutes and starts hurling insults, his usual freakin' sissy routine. From then on it was expletive this and expletive that as Weis got lost in every aspect of what Jeff was trying to implement tactically."

That abuse carried over to the summer league, where Weis played lost and Jeff handled him like he had leprosy. The final straw was when Weis offered to play the first half of the third game; he had a flight to catch (to France) and the time factor only allowed him to play that much, shower and get to the airport.

"Jeff sent him off with a tongue-lashing and a 'no need to play' the first half because 'the Knicks don't need you,' " recounted the source.

Back in the hotel, while packing his bags, Weis, teary-eyed, swore he'd never have anything to do with the Knicks and Jeff after such mistreatment.

"He's a good kid and could've been an asset," the source concluded. "Instead, Jeff took the 'French Toast' New York Post full-page shot at him. I was ashamed I didn't say something to that arrogant little [bleep]. Everybody who was there should be ashamed."
Click to expand...

slowmustang · May 2, 2009

Vince Carter wishes he made it in the NBA.

DaDakota · May 2, 2009

I have heard similar stories about JVG......he is a great announcer.....

DD

Shroopy2 · May 2, 2009

There were so many depictions of Van Gundy in New York as a conniving politician, and approaching his job with a big ego, Napolean complex type way...

I think it all got overblown in his Rockets tenure. But you could see the impatience with young players and the obvious dog housing of players. How his systematic taskmaster approach makes for better defenders but turns off some players

v3.0 · May 2, 2009

JVG has some personality faults for sure. But I will always be grateful of him for jettisoning the remnants of ISO era.

Pringles · May 2, 2009

Is this evidence that Jeff picked his players, not the GM?

Northside Storm · May 2, 2009

Surprise surprise...

A significant amount of NBA personnel are jackasses. Players, coaches, assistant coaches etc. etc.

Comes with the nature of the league (competitive as hell).

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