Breaking: Tom Fired

[TheGreenArrow]

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[thebuzzardman]

This season, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic were better defensively than the Clippers, and no team was better on the defensive glass despite the Clippers finishing 24th in that category a year ago.

Van Gundy was the catalyst for that.

“Every year, we kind of mentioned that we’re a bad defensive transition team, a bad defensive rebounding team,” said center Ivica Zubac, who was the only player in the NBA this season to grab at least 1,000 rebounds and finished seventh in defensive rebounds per game (8.9). “That was something I wanted to get better at, something I can directly control. And JVG, beginning of the season, pushed me a lot, pushed the whole team a lot. Gotta be better in those two areas.”

Zubac said that Van Gundy was “treating every game like it’s playoffs.” And this season, the Clippers weren’t just good overall defensively; they were consistent.

In the first quarter of the season, the Clippers had the fifth-best defense in the league. From Dec. 6 to Jan. 24, the Clippers had the second-best defense. The Clippers slipped from Jan. 25 to March 9, ranking 16th. But from March 10 through the end of the regular season, the Clippers had the NBA’s third-best defense.

Now that it’s the playoffs, Zubac said that Van Gundy “went to the next level of locked in.” Perhaps that was on display when Van Gundy and longtime Clippers trainer Jasen Powell were wrestling for the ball with Denver center Nikola Jokić late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Clippers-Nuggets first-round series.

“I saw some memes out there with JVG,” said Lue, who claims not to be active on social media. “But I mean, the ball came to him. He didn’t take it from Joker. The ball came to him, he was going to give it to the referee. When you’re competitive and somebody tries to snatch the ball from you, you’ve got to hold on to it, so I guess that’s what JVG did.”

As locked in as Van Gundy has been on the bench, that’s how locked in Clippers defenders have been when they have played their best in April.

During the regular season, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard remarked in his first game back that Van Gundy told players, “Nobody watches this s— more than me.”

In the playoffs, Leonard has been motivated by his team’s renewed defensive spirit.

“I have to give credit to my coaching staff, starting with JVG, just being focused on that end,” Leonard said last week. “Coming in with a passionate, aggressive mindset for us all. And it kind of (trickles) down to us. And then from there, there’s guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take them.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-jeff-van-gundy-clippers-defense

JVG can be Bryant's defensive assistant.

No way I want to see another season of boring ass JVG offense. It's not the 90s

[god shammgod]

This season, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic were better defensively than the Clippers, and no team was better on the defensive glass despite the Clippers finishing 24th in that category a year ago.

Van Gundy was the catalyst for that.

“Every year, we kind of mentioned that we’re a bad defensive transition team, a bad defensive rebounding team,” said center Ivica Zubac, who was the only player in the NBA this season to grab at least 1,000 rebounds and finished seventh in defensive rebounds per game (8.9). “That was something I wanted to get better at, something I can directly control. And JVG, beginning of the season, pushed me a lot, pushed the whole team a lot. Gotta be better in those two areas.”

Zubac said that Van Gundy was “treating every game like it’s playoffs.” And this season, the Clippers weren’t just good overall defensively; they were consistent.

In the first quarter of the season, the Clippers had the fifth-best defense in the league. From Dec. 6 to Jan. 24, the Clippers had the second-best defense. The Clippers slipped from Jan. 25 to March 9, ranking 16th. But from March 10 through the end of the regular season, the Clippers had the NBA’s third-best defense.

Now that it’s the playoffs, Zubac said that Van Gundy “went to the next level of locked in.” Perhaps that was on display when Van Gundy and longtime Clippers trainer Jasen Powell were wrestling for the ball with Denver center Nikola Jokić late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Clippers-Nuggets first-round series.

“I saw some memes out there with JVG,” said Lue, who claims not to be active on social media. “But I mean, the ball came to him. He didn’t take it from Joker. The ball came to him, he was going to give it to the referee. When you’re competitive and somebody tries to snatch the ball from you, you’ve got to hold on to it, so I guess that’s what JVG did.”

As locked in as Van Gundy has been on the bench, that’s how locked in Clippers defenders have been when they have played their best in April.

During the regular season, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard remarked in his first game back that Van Gundy told players, “Nobody watches this s— more than me.”

In the playoffs, Leonard has been motivated by his team’s renewed defensive spirit.

“I have to give credit to my coaching staff, starting with JVG, just being focused on that end,” Leonard said last week. “Coming in with a passionate, aggressive mindset for us all. And it kind of (trickles) down to us. And then from there, there’s guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take them.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-jeff-van-gundy-clippers-defense

JVG can be Bryant's defensive assistant.

No way I want to see another season of boring ass JVG offense. It's not the 90s

we don't know how he'll coach offense now. that was a long time ago. and what do we know about bryant's offense anyway ?

[HerSports85]

Ime only has 2 years remaining on his contract which is 14.5 mil. This isn't impossible to get done. Just depends on what Houston wants.

[Fury]

Johnnie Bryant
Jay Wright
Ime Udoka
Jeff Van Gundy

I think those are the 4 I'd consider.

[NoStatsGuy]

Hi there proud to say I am in a similar industry with you, but rather as a reseller in the far east. Cheers!

its a fun industry to be in. so much movement

well my job is kinda boring tho. im just an analyst doing the nerdy stuff lol

[NoStatsGuy]

You didn’t miss much bro. I wasted money for those games. Should have just went to a bar and drank my sorrows away. Was at game 7 last year and game 2 this year. Great seats because of my friend’s connect. Still the biggest waste of my time. Watching them lose in person, I’d rather just drink lmao

Stephen A just yelling non stop today man. I thought the same thing. These guys are so far removed that they get the news once it’s already done. Hey man hopefully you get back next year, Munich sounds like a nice place man, wish I could go. I’m telling you man, we get the right coach in place, you could find yourself here next year at the garden for the finals

i just wanna be there for it you know. the highs and the lows.

if theres a parade next year im gonna find you and we drink one

[BKlutch]

This season, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic were better defensively than the Clippers, and no team was better on the defensive glass despite the Clippers finishing 24th in that category a year ago.

Van Gundy was the catalyst for that.

“Every year, we kind of mentioned that we’re a bad defensive transition team, a bad defensive rebounding team,” said center Ivica Zubac, who was the only player in the NBA this season to grab at least 1,000 rebounds and finished seventh in defensive rebounds per game (8.9). “That was something I wanted to get better at, something I can directly control. And JVG, beginning of the season, pushed me a lot, pushed the whole team a lot. Gotta be better in those two areas.”

Zubac said that Van Gundy was “treating every game like it’s playoffs.” And this season, the Clippers weren’t just good overall defensively; they were consistent.

In the first quarter of the season, the Clippers had the fifth-best defense in the league. From Dec. 6 to Jan. 24, the Clippers had the second-best defense. The Clippers slipped from Jan. 25 to March 9, ranking 16th. But from March 10 through the end of the regular season, the Clippers had the NBA’s third-best defense.

Now that it’s the playoffs, Zubac said that Van Gundy “went to the next level of locked in.” Perhaps that was on display when Van Gundy and longtime Clippers trainer Jasen Powell were wrestling for the ball with Denver center Nikola Jokić late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Clippers-Nuggets first-round series.

“I saw some memes out there with JVG,” said Lue, who claims not to be active on social media. “But I mean, the ball came to him. He didn’t take it from Joker. The ball came to him, he was going to give it to the referee. When you’re competitive and somebody tries to snatch the ball from you, you’ve got to hold on to it, so I guess that’s what JVG did.”

As locked in as Van Gundy has been on the bench, that’s how locked in Clippers defenders have been when they have played their best in April.

During the regular season, two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard remarked in his first game back that Van Gundy told players, “Nobody watches this s— more than me.”

In the playoffs, Leonard has been motivated by his team’s renewed defensive spirit.

“I have to give credit to my coaching staff, starting with JVG, just being focused on that end,” Leonard said last week. “Coming in with a passionate, aggressive mindset for us all. And it kind of (trickles) down to us. And then from there, there’s guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take them.

https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-jeff-van-gundy-clippers-defense

JVG can be Bryant's defensive assistant.

No way I want to see another season of boring ass JVG offense. It's not the 90s

But it would be perfect, now that Ewing is back!

[sol537]

Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator: Johnnie Bryant
Lead Assistant & Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Van Gundy
Big Man Assistant Coach: Patrick Ewing
Player Development Coach: Rick Brunson

I would love to see it with the caveat that Jeff Van Gundy makes it clear that--at his current age--being an assistant coach is high ideal position and he'll gladly remain in that role. Though I wonder why he'd leave the Clippers if that's the case? More money? New challenge?

[sol537]

Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator: Johnnie Bryant
Lead Assistant & Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Van Gundy
Big Man Assistant Coach: Patrick Ewing
Player Development Coach: Rick Brunson

I would love to see it with the caveat that Jeff Van Gundy makes it clear that at his current age, being an assistant coach is high ideal position and he'll gladly remain in that role. Though I wonder why he'd leave the Clippers if that's the case? More money? New challenge?

[E-Balla]

Read on Twitter

I want JVG. Is he just Thibs again? Sure, but unlike Thibs he cares about offense. Might just be outdated.

I wonder if JVG would be interested in a defensive assistant coach role like he does for Clippers. Normally no but maybe he's the age where he enjoys that without the pressure of HC.

I remember being near courtside at a Raptors game years ago, early during shootaround. Alvin Gentry had been a long time assistant, then a head coach, now back as lead assistant, I forget which team. He was sitting on the bench smiling, chatting with people, relaxed and confident looking. It just hit me that at his stage, assistant coach in the NBA with good money, is a pretty good gig for a veteran coach.

Maybe he's the HC but more hands off? Seems like the perfect combination.

[G_K_F]

The man is 67, he needs to relax and enjoy that 30 mill

I was thinking wow, $30 million was a lot for Dolan to be ok giving away. Then I read PHX owes Coach Bud $40million now

Something tells me Thibs will coach one more NBA team before finally calling it quits. One more floor raise for one more lucky team. Maybe Charlotte or Washington or New Orleans hands him the keys? Once a team gets tired of the long tank journey, they should hire Thibs like we did and give him some decent talent to work his magic.

He's 68 years old. I think it's over for him.

He wants too much power in decision making.

[GONYK]

Sounds like Hurley has been letting everyone know he wants the job and the Knicks aren't really reciprocating that interest.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

I don't think Windy is plugged in at all tbh. Not with us

[MrDollarBills]

Sounds like Hurley has been letting everyone know he wants the job and the Knicks aren't really reciprocating that interest.

This is conjecture but I think if that's the case, Leon already knows who he wants.

[sol537]

BigKnicksEnergy (twitter account) and Knicks Fan TV seem to be the most dialed in while the rest of the NY media is pretty clueless until Shams officially announces something. Leon moves in silence, man. I respect it.

[Juco24]

I've said it numerous times... I don't get the JVG love. Dude literally quit on his team almost mid-season. F him.

[JXL]

Where's the outcry for Michael Malone getting fired from Denver? Taylor Jenkins from Memphis? Mike Budenholzer/Frank Vogel from Phoenix?

Yet because it's the Knicks, and the media are like hyenas, they'll make the Knicks out as the same dysfunction when they have zero insider information. And they don't deserve it.

[Kidknick!]

Dragging myself to listen through the Minister of Propaganda's podcast, and he's ALREADY starting the campaign against Bryant and also wonders what Brock Aller's role in getting rid of his Hero and Paragon of coaching...

Absolutely clueless and biased takes as usual. He's the Bill Simmons of Knicks fans.

[Capn'O]

leon rose had a very bad summer last year. people are too close to it right now but years later when they look back they'll see it.

We did just make ECF in year 1 with that roster

KAT's who KAT is but if we get another coach in and Mikal still looks out of sorts with the roster that trade will look pretty bad.