The Boston Celtics have been Jeff Van Gundy’s lifeline.
Van Gundy detailed what has been a really painful time in his life after he was fired by ESPN following 16 years because the community’s prime NBA recreation analyst.
The previous Knicks coach, who was added to the Celtics employees in October, was coping with private tragedies on prime of dropping his job.
“I obtained fired from ESPN on June 30, after which my youngest son went to highschool in August so we turned empty nesters,” Van Gundy stated on “The Mark Jackson Present” together with his former broadcast accomplice Mark Jackson and son Mark Jackson Jr.
“Then my sister-in-law tragically handed away in the course of August as properly. Then, my finest good friend in Houston contracted most cancers, and he died this spring.”
Jeff’s brother, Stan, lately revealed that his spouse dedicated suicide in August.
That point in Van Gundy’s life was unparalleled to something he had skilled earlier than.
“I used to be actually in an ungainly place in life, not likely realizing the place I used to be going or what my goal was, or how I’d be with this new group of individuals the place I didn’t know anybody,” stated Van Gundy, who was a part of a large wave of layoffs at ESPN.
Since October, he has been an integral a part of this season’s Celtics workforce, attending practically each observe and shootaround with the title of a senior marketing consultant.
“It’s been one of the crucial rejuvenating issues I’ve ever gone via. Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla threw me a lifeline,” he stated.
The 62-year-old has been rumored to probably exchange the Celtics’ prime assistant coach, Charles Lee, subsequent season.
In accordance with Marc Stein on his Substack, there may be additionally an opportunity he’ll find yourself with Ty Lue and the Clippers.
Van Gundy beforehand spent 11 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Knicks and Rockets.
In that timeframe, he put collectively a 430-318 file.
Celtics president Brad Stevens praised Van Gundy’s contributions in an interview again in April.
“Jeff’s been nice,” Stevens stated. “And it’s all over that teaching employees. They’ve been terrific. Jeff, in his marketing consultant position, our six participant enhancement coaches have been superb with our ‘keep prepared’ group.”
Van Gundy stated he’ll “perpetually be appreciative” of what Stevens and Mazzulla did for him.
The Celtics are up 3-1 within the NBA Finals towards the Mavericks and can look to clinch a championship on Monday night time in Boston.
They’ve rolled via the playoffs with three losses within the 4 collection to this point after a 64-18 common season.
Van Gundy stated he believes the success the group sees on the ground all begins from behind the scenes.
“The entire group from possession to Brad’s employees to the teaching employees has simply been outstanding. I believe you may by no means have higher workforce chemistry than you’ve gotten teaching employees chemistry,” Van Gundy stated.
“Joe is such a great coach and a great chief however what he’s finished so very properly is assemble a bunch of coaches that care in regards to the outcomes greater than the credit score. They’ve nice chemistry collectively.”
