Hal14 wrote:chakdaddy wrote:Green89 wrote:We definitely got the better Van Gundy brother! Welcome, Jeff. He probably hates the Heat and Pat Riley, so he'll fit right in.
I kind of like both of them, seems like a decent add for experience. But was he Knicks coach in the 99 finals? LJ is a PF, Duncan is a PF, LJ can guard him....Duncan proceeds to make uncontested shots over a guy 8 inches shorter than him. Hope Giannis doesn't do the same to Brissett.
Yes, Jeff Van Gundy was the Knicks coach in 99. The fact that he got the 8 seeded Knicks to the NBA finals that season, despite his best player (Ewing) being injured was probably one of the best coaching jobs of all-time.
Duncan is 5" taller than LJ, not 8. And it was a long time ago now so I don't recall who was defending Duncan (probably either Kurt Thomas, Camby or Chris Dudley most of the time, perhaps LJ some of the time)..obviously it was tough for the Knicks having to play that series without Ewing, while facing Duncan and Robinson.
I remember LJ basically being 6'4" listed at 6'7" . Regardless it was an awful defensive match-up. At least Duncan would have had to work a little harder to go around someone he didn't tower over.
Ironic that Semi and Grant were decent against Giannis. I guess the difference is Duncan was a more traditional big and Giannis a giant slasher/dunker