Jeff Van Gundy shall be again on an NBA sideline.
Van Gundy, the previous Knicks coach who served as a senior guide to the 2024 champion Celtics, is becoming a member of the Clippers because the lead assistant, based on ESPN.
The 62-year-old’s robust relationships with Clippers coach Ty Lue and his standing amongst Los Angeles’ decision-makers factored into his choice.
Van Gundy final coached in 2007 when he served because the Rockets’ head coach, and had been linked to varied jobs all through the years.
He as an alternative remained in his ESPN analyst function, which he took up after being axed by Houston and held by way of June 2023.
Regardless of being a member of the community’s NBA Finals broadcasting workforce, ESPN let Van Gundy go after 16 seasons as a part of its cost-reduction measures.
One of many elements in ESPN’s choice was a worry that Van Gundy nonetheless had the teaching itch and would go away the media large for a sideline gig.
The Celtics, led by prime government Brad Stevens, swooped in and added Van Gundy to their workers as a senior guide.
Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla described Van Gundy as a “weapon”, and that weapon certainly helped the Celtics win their 18th title with their 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Sport 5 on Monday.
“Jeff’s been nice,” Stevens stated of Van Gundy earlier than the postseason. “I’ve recognized Jeff a very long time and gotten an opportunity to spend so much of time with him through the years.
“It’s enjoyable watching a sport with him when he doesn’t have to talk in 15-second sound bites. He’s fairly entertaining.”
Van Gundy will now transition from the workforce with probably the most titles in NBA historical past to one of many groups that has zero championships within the Clippers.
Lue and Van Gundy constructed a “robust” relationship throughout their time teaching Group USA, per ESPN, and Van Gundy coached Lue on the 2004 Rockets.
Van Gundy served because the Knicks coach from 1995-2001 earlier than main the Rockets from 2003-07. He tallied a 248-172 report (59.0 %) throughout his time as a head coach.
The Clippers misplaced to the Mavericks within the first spherical this previous season and may doubtlessly lose star Paul George this offseason.
