ESPN Removes Jeff Van Gundy From Knicks-Bulls Broadcast

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:49 pm

In a late change, Jeff Van Gundy has been removed from ESPN's broadcast of the New York Knicks versus Chicago Bulls game on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Van Gundy was assigned to announce the game with Mike Tirico.

“We’re always reexamining our commentating assignments,” ESPN spokesman Ben Cafardo said.

Van Gundy reportedly would be considered by the Knicks to replace Mike Woodson, but the former coach said recently that he "felt badly" for Woodson to deal with speculation about his job status.

“He never wants to be a distraction,” a Van Gundy friend said Wednesday. “He’s very sensitive about current coaches.”

Via Marc Berman/New York Post

MICHAEL_JORDAN · Post #2 » by **MICHAEL_JORDAN** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:01 pm

the fans of each team want the tank.

pylb · Post #3 » by **pylb** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:15 pm

MICHAEL_JORDAN wrote:the fans of each team want the tank.

Why would Knicks fans want to tank when Denver has their pick ?

ocho · Post #4 » by **ocho** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:27 pm

pylb wrote:
MICHAEL_JORDAN wrote:the fans of each team want the tank.

Why would Knicks fans want to tank when Denver has their pick ?

Exactly, Knicks are messed. If they keep sucking they're gonna lose Melo and have lost their chance for a top pick this year. Looking like a lose/lose situation.

MICHAEL_JORDAN · Post #5 » by **MICHAEL_JORDAN** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:43 pm

pylb wrote:
MICHAEL_JORDAN wrote:the fans of each team want the tank.

Why would Knicks fans want to tank when Denver has their pick ?

I did not know that.

VC-INJURY · Post #6 » by **VC-INJURY** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm

Maybe he'll be coaching the game instead :lol:

azncorruptedo17 · Post #7 » by **azncorruptedo17** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:51 pm

so... the point of removing JVG was....?

StickAndMove · Post #8 » by **StickAndMove** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:57 pm

“He never wants to be a distraction,” a Van Gundy friend said Wednesday. “He’s very sensitive about current coaches.”

Maybe it's just me, but I think more attention is put on him by removing him from the broadcast rather than proceeding as usual.

burritoKURUMA · Post #9 » by **burritoKURUMA** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:25 pm

StickAndMove wrote:
“He never wants to be a distraction,” a Van Gundy friend said Wednesday. “He’s very sensitive about current coaches.”

Maybe it's just me, but I think more attention is put on him by removing him from the broadcast rather than proceeding as usual.

Maybe so, but it could be worse if he was there. Remember when Shaq got his number retired by the Lakers last season? The entire Staples Center erupted with "We want Phil" when he started talking about him. It was funny, but probably awkward for those involved, and I bet that's what JVG wants to avoid.

MaseInYourFace · Post #10 » by **MaseInYourFace** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:46 pm

He's going to be the head coach of the Knicks next season

StickAndMove · Post #11 » by **StickAndMove** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:00 am

burritoKURUMA wrote:Maybe so, but it could be worse if he was there. Remember when Shaq got his number retired by the Lakers last season? The entire Staples Center erupted with "We want Phil" when he started talking about him. It was funny, but probably awkward for those involved, and I bet that's what JVG wants to avoid.

I guess that's a possibility, but Phil Jackson is hardly comparable to most head coaches, including JVG. The guy has more rings than all the current head coaches combined, and it's not close. When's the last time something like that happened for a coach with no rings? Or even just any coach besides Phil?

grumpysaddle · Post #12 » by **grumpysaddle** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:04 am

The natural pathetic look of JVG's face makes me giggle. He just can't help looking pathetic. I love it.

RandyBreuer · Post #13 » by **RandyBreuer** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:22 am

Denver has their pick unprotected, Who would have thought the Anthony trade would strike gold for the Nuggets?!

jshow34 · Post #14 » by **jshow34** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:18 am

grumpysaddle wrote:The natural pathetic look of JVG's face makes me giggle. He just can't help looking pathetic. I love it.

show ur pic giggler

Championships · Post #15 » by **Championships** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:45 am

azncorruptedo17 wrote:so... the point of removing JVG was....?

So the fans wouldn't act like idiots and start chanting "Jeff Van Gundy" if the Knicks were to get blown out (they're not right now) creating a very awkward moment on commentary.

grumpysaddle · Post #16 » by **grumpysaddle** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 4:05 am

jshow34 wrote:
grumpysaddle wrote:The natural pathetic look of JVG's face makes me giggle. He just can't help looking pathetic. I love it.

show ur pic giggler

IWishIWasHarden · Post #17 » by **IWishIWasHarden** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:20 am

Well, America never tells the truth -- we know that by now -- so lets just safely assume Van Gundy is already basically the coach of the Knicks. It looks like it.

Congrats, jeff! :wink:

PrecociousNeoph · Post #18 » by **PrecociousNeoph** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:25 am

IWishIWasHarden wrote:Well, America never tells the truth -- we know that by now -- so lets just safely assume Van Gundy is already basically the coach of the Knicks. It looks like it.

Congrats, jeff!

is there any particular reason why you attempted to smuggle your unrelated and irrelevant intellectual regurgitation into a thread about basketball, or is it just an involuntary brain fart?