March 11, 2011

If Stan Van Gundy Goes Missing ...: "I would venture a guess that we're not going to be hearing from him for the rest of the season. I think when he stops and reads what he said, realizes what he did, he will say no more. ... I have a feeling some modicum of self-restraint will cause Stan, and the team for which he works, to rein in his aberrant behavior." -- NBA Commissioner David Stern

posted by rcade to basketball at 02:34 PM - 10 comments

Huh? I don't think the Magic are fraying. And, Stern really doesn't buy into the talking freely thing. I don't know if Van Gundy was really referring to anyone specific because it is difficult to tell with his comments, but they didn't really jump out as anything outrageous.

posted by bperk at 02:16 PM on March 11, 2011

The Magic are what, 3-4 games off last year's pace?? Yeah, really fraying.

Pointing out that Howard hasn't been "flagrantly" fouled in some 600 fouls, really does just reinforce the notion that they're not getting called.

The Stern era has been the end of the dominant center. Kareem, Walton, Wilt?? How would they have fared under Stern? Stern has empowered the perimeter players. Really, MJ's Bulls should have won 1 or 2 rings, and Ewing/Olijawon should each have 1-2 more.

Stern molded the league around MJ, changed the rules to enable his success, and in the process devalued size in the middle. You need more than just size now, you need that perimeter scorer. The Magic have little after Howard. Jameer Nelson is probably the #2 guy, and he's not a top 20 player.

SVG just needs to understand that David Stern's NBA is a guard's game.

posted by LostInDaJungle at 03:42 PM on March 11, 2011

As a Celtics fan and an SVG hater, I have 0 problem with what SVG said. He should be allowed to defend his player and allowed to complain about the rules. David Stern's comments only serve to reinforce his point.

posted by yerfatma at 05:50 PM on March 11, 2011

Based on those comments by Stern, he sounds like a pretty arrogant guy.

posted by insomnyuk at 06:48 PM on March 11, 2011

The Red Fox restaurant is gone now, so Stern can't invite VanGundy there for lunch next time the Magic visit the Pistons.

posted by beaverboard at 07:28 PM on March 11, 2011

Van Gundy's mistake was that league commissioners want to be seen as benevolent dictators.

posted by etagloh at 09:14 PM on March 11, 2011

I'm not a fan of either van gundy. However, Stan has a great point. David stern is hitler in disguise!! The NBA officiating has always been bad, & it has gotten worse since stern took over. He has way too much power. It's insane that you cannot comment on how horrible the refs are. Imagine if you made as many mistakes at your job or just ignored what you are supposed to do? You wouldn't last long. Unless you're an NBA ref! The NBA is destroying the game of basketball. Stern is to blame. I think he decides what the outcome of the game is going to be, far before the game is played. How else can you explain it? Remember Ed Hochuli? Enough said... Except, the last I remember; the NBA is in the USA, which has a little thing called the first amendment...

posted by Jcano1 at 11:19 AM on March 12, 2011

Based on those comments by Stern, he sounds like a pretty arrogant guy.

Massively arrogant and drunk on his own power.

posted by rcade at 12:00 PM on March 12, 2011

When asked about this situation Friday, Van Gundy replied, "I've been told I can't comment."

posted by rcade at 12:53 PM on March 12, 2011

That's so funny. Stern just proved SVG's point.

posted by bperk at 07:07 PM on March 12, 2011

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