AP Photo/Tony Avelar
Feeble Recent Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy stated he had a distinction of realizing with government vice chairman of basketball operations David Griffin on what desires to be prioritized inside of the organization, which resulted in his dismissal after one season.
Van Gundy told The Dan Le Batard Expose (through Christian Clark of NOLA.com) that his focus was as soon as on the court docket, whereas Griffin positioned the next precedence on relationships.
“I felt the level of passion desires to be what went on on the court docket,” Van Gundy stated. “What was as soon as upright. What was as soon as disagreeable. All of that. I specialize in that Griff was all all over again enthusiastic on the ambiance across the crew and the happiness of of us and issues cherish that. That was as soon as doubtlessly the finest distinction. If I’d’ve gone real into a gathering, ‘Hello, you had been 31-41, and that’s the explanation now not upright satisfactory,’ I’ve got no dwelling with that. That’s what we be a part of on this enterprise. Regardless of situations, that’s what we be a part of on this enterprise. But that’s now not what it came all of the manner down to or on the very least what I heard. We overview at issues fully differently by strategy of what’s important.”
Clearly, here’s a truly easy dwelling to parse: Avid gamers reportedly didn’t revel in playing for Van Gundy, and Griffin moved on in fragment to withhold the locker room tickled. This seemingly haven’t got been a dwelling if the Pelicans had been a success, but they executed 31-41 after many anticipated them to create the playoffs.
A hit and relationship building are two ingredients of teaching in the NBA, significantly in a exiguous market. There comprise already been whispers about Zion Williamson’s future with Recent Orleans, and he’s now not even on his 2nd contract.
It be unclear if Williamson and Van Gundy had a contentious relationship, however the percentages are that the coach would perchance maybe be returning if they’d been on solid terms.
