6 minute read
THE GAME
from Intown Magazine
ALL THINGS HOUSTON SPORTS WITH JEFF
Van Gundy
Jeff Van Gundy was the head coach of the Houston Rockets from 2003 through 2007 as well as the New York Knicks and still makes his home in Houston. Now he’s the lead NBA analyst at ESPN. Jake, BK, and Cody, of the show Wheelhouse on ESPN Radio 97.5 caught up with the former coach to discuss all things Houston sports.
Jake Asman: There’s been a lot of changes with this Rockets team throughout the off-season. Of course, it all started really with the trade for James Harden. But if you think back and just look at the roster right now as it currently stands. How would you evaluate the job the front office led by Rafael Stone has done?
Jeff Van Gundy: Oh, I think they have done a tremendous job after being dealt a very difficult challenge with both Westbrook and Harden, both wanting out, you know, simultaneously and you know, every transaction is now scrutinized to the Nth Degree. They’re going to have some growing pains going forward. But what they have now, once again, is hope. And I think Stephen Silas and his staff weathered that storm last year as well as you could. This year, they go into it with a different challenge, which is to grow these young players and bring them along with some of the veteran guys. And I think Houston can get good quickly. I do. I think they have the ability now through what Rafael and his staff have done to put an exciting team on the floor. Brad Kellner: Jeff, you used the word hope during that answer. The main guy who was giving Rockets fans hope moving forward is Jalen Green, the number two pick in this year’s draft. What are your thoughts on Jalen Green? And do you agree with the Rocket’s decision to go with Jalen Green over Evan Mobley, over Jalen Suggs, over some of the other players who were available at number two? Jeff Van Gundy: Well, that’s the beauty of the draft, right? We’ll see. So much depends on things we don’t know about any of those young players. You know, three summer league games doesn’t tell you anything. It just stokes the desire to want to see them more. But I really do believe that consistency is the elusive trait that not many great players or not many players can find. But the great ones do. And we’ll see. Like we don’t know about health, about if money changes somebody’s love of the game, how much he’s willing to sacrifice to win. His rate of improvement. But certainly, you know, Green is exciting. Where it goes from here? Who knows? But again, I go back to it. They have, you know, genuine hope now for a better future.
Cody Stoots: What’s your confidence level in Stephen Silas as the guy and what kind of challenge does he have in front of him with a lot of really young guys.
Jeff Van Gundy: I’ve known Steven since he was a freshman in high school, I worked with his dad. We were both assistant coaches with the New York Knicks. And ever since that time, watching Steven grow in his basketball career, both as a player at Brown to the NBA, the one thing that stood out is work ethic and integrity. This is as fine a person as you could want to lead your basketball team. He will not be discouraged by last year. His challenge now is to try to blend the veterans they have with the young players and form a bond between those two groups. You know, Eric Gordon doesn’t want to wait three or four years. He wants to be good this year, he wants to be of value this year. I think he’s the perfect personality to draw the best out of all these players.
Brad Kellner: Just last week, James Harden came out and said, quote, at full strength, nobody can beat us end quote.
Jeff Van Gundy: They are the most
gifted offensive team in the NBA. Without question. And will their defense and will their lack of size hurt them in a playoff series? I don’t know. So much depends on who you play. And I’m fascinated with what Brooklyn’s trying to do. Kevin Durant, I got to see up close and personal with the Olympic team this August and you know, there’s no better offensive player and offensive talent than him. When you combine that with Harden and Irving and a shooter like Joe Harris, man, it’s going to be hard to stop them. So we’ll see.
Cody Stoots: Jeff, I’m going to disguise this as a basketball question, but it’s actually a baseball question. Have you ever seen a team just not be able to beat bad teams but play up to the level of good teams like this Houston Astros team? What do you think about these Astros?
Jeff Van Gundy: Baseball is so different because it’s not an intensity sport. Usually, you know, if you were running into that in basketball, you would try to up the intensity level and really have the appropriate fear of your opponent, right? Because every pro team is good enough to beat you if you’re not at your best. In baseball, it just seems like there are certain match-ups, for whatever reason, that just don’t work. But I really do believe, you know, Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros will be the last team standing. I think they’re going to win it.
Jake Asman: So going from the Astros, Jeff, to the Texans, what about the over/under four and a half wins for the Houston Texans in 2021.
Jeff Van Gundy: Over. They’re going to be the surprise team in the league. I’m a season ticket holder, so I’m a homer, but I really believe they’re going to get six wins. I don’t really remember a worse situation to take over than the one they took over with having Dejaun Watson both wanting out, legal issues, and him being healthy, but still doesn’t seem available. I’m really looking forward to seeing if they have enough to compete. I’m saying six.
Jake Asman: Finally, Jeff, I got to ask you this as we wrap up. So just like you, I too am a Division three guy. I went to Ithaca College. Now, I know you played ball at Nazareth College, which is in New York State, central New York area. Do you still hold the all-time free throw percentage record at Nazareth College?
Jeff Van Gundy: Yeah, but when you never could get to the free-throw line because you never got fouled it’s not really like that great a record. I knew where to throw the ball, but I couldn’t get the ball in the paint on my own. My handle wasn’t quite good enough to get by people.
Jake Asman: Let’s hope you’re right. Texans win seven games. There might be a parade in this town, the way the Texans have been covered.
Jeff Van Gundy: I agree. I think about if the Astros win it all and the Texans win seven. And the Rockets show great promise. It’ll be a pretty good year in Houston sports.
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