[palmbeachpost] Van Gundy: My brother never given credit due

qrui · May 26, 2006

not sure if this has been posted. i found this interesting ...

Van Gundy: My brother never given credit due
By Chris Perkins

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, May 26, 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy told a New York radio station that his brother, former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy, is enjoying life away from the game, but Jeff also said his relationship with Miami coach Pat Riley has "changed'' and he took shots at Alonzo Mourning during a 20-minute interview Wednesday.

Jeff Van Gundy, speaking on the Mike and the Mad Dog Show on WFAN, said Stan still doesn't like discussing the circumstances of his sudden resignation as Heat coach in December. Jeff said when he brings up the issue, Stan changes the subject.

"He is happy," Jeff said of his older brother. "I saw him in Orlando. He came down there, we played in Orlando in February and I saw him and he looked great. He was tan with a big smile on his face.

"I said, 'How are you doing?' He said, 'Man, I'm really hitting the ball good. I put a batting cage in my back yard and I'm really swinging well.' "

Jeff said he doesn't think the South Florida media gave his brother a fair shake because it favors Riley, who took over as coach and has led the Heat into the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight season.

"I just don't think the Miami media, in my opinion, gave Stan the credit he was due, and they always tried to keep it as mentor-pupil," he said of Stan's relationship with Riley. "And that was a little bit fueled by the quotes Alonzo Mourning had, and I think that's blatantly unfair for someone who really struggled."

Mourning, in a recent Sports Illustrated story about Riley, said: "Stan did an incredible job here. But coaching credibility? Hands down, Pat has it. So why not have the teacher here instead of the pupil?"

Mourning's comments and suggestions in the media that Heat management has told its former coach not to talk about the resignation anger Jeff Van Gundy.

"I don't know if there's a true gag order ... but you won't believe how little he speaks to me about this,'' Jeff said. "I've tried to get him to open up to me about things — it's like I'm a media member. I just wish he had the ability to respond like the quotes Mourning had. They've really annoyed me and I think it's unfortunate."

Jeff said he has "great respect" for Riley and appreciates the opportunities Riley gave both Van Gundy brothers as his assistants.

"That being said, things have changed," Jeff said of his relationship with Riley. "They have. Maybe that's just how it always works out. But the only thing I really care about is that my brother is happy and my brother understands that if (the Heat) go on and go to the Finals, as I expect them to, and maybe win, it's no reflection on his ability.''

Jeff Van Gundy said he thinks his brother will eventually get back into coaching.

"I think people are going to go after him when he can speak again and when his contract does run out (in June 2008), and I think he'll be a very sought-after commodity," he said.

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link: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/05/26/a10b_vangundy_0526.html

dandorotik · May 26, 2006

qrui said:

not sure if this has been posted. i found this interesting ...

link: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/05/26/a10b_vangundy_0526.html
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It's not Stan's fault. Riley amassed a team with a collection of egos and head cases (Shaq, Zo, Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton) that could only be coached by a high-profile individual (Riley, Popovich, maybe Larry Brown, but I doubt it). To be honest, Stan deserves credit for taking the team to the Eastern Finals last year, but if Riley takes them to the NBA Finals, Riley is deservingly going to receive the credit. Stan just got caught in a bad situation. He'll bounce back.

GoatBoy · May 26, 2006

"I don't know if there's a true gag order ... but you won't believe how little he speaks to me about this,'' Jeff said. "I've tried to get him to open up to me about things — it's like I'm a media member. I just wish he had the ability to respond like the quotes Mourning had. They've really annoyed me and I think it's unfortunate."

_________________________________________

Sten remembers how well JVG kept what that ref told him last year under wraps.

Hippieloser · May 26, 2006

Hard to believe Stan won't be calling JVG with ideas during the season. You know the Rockets are definitely one of the teams he'll be watching. Probably wouldn't be a bad thing to have the VG bros. discussing the team regularly.

CG202 · May 26, 2006

How about we get SVG over here as an assistan coach? I say he can do a better job than charley ward/ewing , right?

LongTimeFan · May 26, 2006

dandorotik said:

To be honest, Stan deserves credit for taking the team to the Eastern Finals last year, but if Riley takes them to the NBA Finals, Riley is deservingly going to receive the credit. Stan just got caught in a bad situation. He'll bounce back.
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Those were two completely different teams. The one Riley is coaching right now has loads more talent. It's a shame Stan's coaching ability got overshadowed by Riley's ego. People saw what Riley was gonna do in the off-season, his quotes alluded to as much. Stan needs to stop being classy and tell the truth; then move on to another Eastern team and beat the **** out of Riley. And F Zo.

cuneo77 · May 26, 2006

CG202 said:

How about we get SVG over here as an assistan coach? I say he can do a better job than charley ward/ewing , right?
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beat me to it

Rocket River · May 26, 2006

cuneo77 said:

beat me to it
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I suggested it back in like January

THE VAN GUNDY Comprise [my gloss]

Rocket River
:d

Da Wink · May 26, 2006

lets get Stan to be one of JVG's assistants...ewing seems NY bound...

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[palmbeachpost] Van Gundy: My brother never given credit due

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