Tyronn Lue And Jeff Van Gundy have known each other for a while. Twenty years to be exact. For a few games, the former played in Houston in 2004/05 under the latter. A few years later, when Tyronn Lue became coach of the Cavaliers, he tried to recruit Jeff Van Gundy, who had left the courts for microphones and a role as a television consultant for ESPN.
Saved by the Celtics at a difficult time in his life, by becoming an advisor to Brad Stevens, the former coach of the Knicks and Rockets will return to the benches at the Clippers, with Tyronn Lue.
The two men discussed this subject a lot this summer, with Team USA during the Olympic trip. They dined four times in France for example, specifies ESPNto address technical subjects, game systems, both in attack and defense.
“They were of course involved with the American federation but they also hung out on the side,” says Mark Few, assistant coach for Team USA and coach at Gonzaga University. “Sometimes I would listen to them talk about the Clippers. They are both big basketball fans.”
“It’s so healthy to have someone with such experience.”
Jeff Van Gundy's philosophy is well known to Tyronn Lue, who also played (briefly) for his brother, Stan, in Orlando, and most notably worked two seasons in Boston with Tom Thibodeau, then an assistant to Doc Rivers, and a former disciple of Jeff Van Gundy in New York in the 1990s.
The Clippers need to find a more solid defense, lost for two seasons, and the arrival of “JVG” on the bench is already a good sign for improvement in this area.
“Jeff is not afraid to give his opinion,” explains Mark Few. “A coach needs an assistant who will give a different opinion if it's necessary, to change a defensive coverage, to manage a player. It's so healthy to have someone with that kind of experience. He's a great hire, he's brilliant.”
The two men will have to find a balance, which should not take too long given their past and their common references.
“I'm a little nervous because I want to play my role, blend in with the other coaches and help Tyronn Lue. Because I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I've been given,” continues the assistant coach of Los Angeles. “He's a gym rat. He calls me, asks me questions, on offense and defense, about details from the 17th game of last season,” the coach jokes. “I don't remember that stuff. It's very concentrated.”
