Stan Van Gundy
The latest: The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly not interested in interviewing Stan Van Gundy for their head coaching position.
The skinny: How many coaches with Stan Van Gundy’s pedigree are more famous for their soda choices and their clashes with superstars than their winning percentage? Van Gundy, who was fired by the Orlando Magic at the end of the 2012 season, has never coached a team to a losing record in eight seasons in Florida — three with the Miami Heat, five with the Orlando Magic. Van Gundy is loud, occasionally abrasive, and fits his system to maximize his players. With Dwight Howard, Van Gundy ran a spread offense around Howard in the middle, surrounding him with shooters like Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick. Van Gundy also helped transform Howard into a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
In the most awkward press conference ever, Van Gundy publicly stated that Howard asked to have him fired, before Howard came over and unknowingly interrupted the conference.
Diet Pepsi for life.
The verdict: Forget about Dwight Howard — Stan Van Gundy talks too much and too liberally. He wouldn’t fit in with the Nets organization, as good a coach as he is.
Beginning: Larry Brown
Larry Brown | Mike Dunleavy | Lionel Hollins | Phil Jackson | Nate McMillan | Doc Rivers | Brian Shaw | Scott Skiles | Jerry Sloan | Jeff Van Gundy | Stan Van Gundy
