Jeff Van Gundy officially a consultant to the Cs now

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Credit to Reddit for hipping me to this one: The Cs website now lists Jeff Van Gundy as the "senior consultant" to the Cs coaching staff. There were rumors of him joining as an assistant back in July, but I haven't seen anything (nor does Google currently turn up anything) about him being hired in an official capacity.

I don't really have any idea what a senior consultant does on a day-to-day basis, whether he's in the building at any point, or whether that's just a retainer so that Coach Joe can call him from time to time to bounce ideas off him, but I think it's interesting to see. Would it be an exclusive position? I can't imagine the Cs would love the idea of him working with other teams if Coach Joe is discussing anything important with him, but I guess guys have to keep confidences in the league all the time.

Anyway, thought it was worth noting and maybe it's another example of the Cs pulling out all the stops this year.

 

[bsj]

I just saw this too on the Xitter. Interesting.

 

[bankshot1]

I like JVG , I thought ESPN made a mistake, as IMO his takes on the game and talent are generally on target..
As long as Mark Jackson isn't part of the package sounds like a decent add to staff.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Credit to Reddit for hipping me to this one: The Cs website now lists Jeff Van Gundy as the "senior consultant" to the Cs coaching staff. There were rumors of him joining as an assistant back in July, but I haven't seen anything (nor does Google currently turn up anything) about him being hired in an official capacity.

I don't really have any idea what a senior consultant does on a day-to-day basis, whether he's in the building at any point, or whether that's just a retainer so that Coach Joe can call him from time to time to bounce ideas off him, but I think it's interesting to see. Would it be an exclusive position? I can't imagine the Cs would love the idea of him working with other teams if Coach Joe is discussing anything important with him, but I guess guys have to keep confidences in the league all the time.

Anyway, thought it was worth noting and maybe it's another example of the Cs pulling out all the stops this year.

If he's on the Cs website, I have to assume its an exclusive position. I agree it certainly can't hurt and Van Gundy knows a ton about basketball so maybe he can value-add!

As for what value he's adding, I'm sure the Cs have set up some work flow by which Van Gundy regular provides input plus it's good for JoeMazz to have someone to bounce stuff off of.

 

[bankshot1]

Ring chasing

 

[ifmanis5]

Hope he tells them to play Al a lot less and start Jrue.

 

[sezwho]

No down side, knows the game as well as anyone and comes off oddly egoless - as much as anyone at such a level can.

Edit - Pretty cool actually. He could be an Ernie Adams type fit.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Ring chasing

JVG has shown that he isn't afraid to grab on to an unstoppable force.

In all seriousness, can't see the downside and if you ever hear either Van Gundy brother speak off broadcast, its evident that they really do understand hoops. On broadcast, I wonder if Jeff actually hates the NBA.

 

[radsoxfan]

Is this more of de facto front office/advisory type role? Or is he going to travel with the team and be on the bench?

I like JVG in general, not sure what to expect out of him here. Of course a tiny fraction of my wonders if this could be some coaching back up plan if things don’t work out with Joe.

Mostly though, it’s just nice to have more NBA knowledge involved. Last season in the playoffs we were so woefully under experienced on the entire coaching staff.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Some details here from MassLive (they clearly read Reddit/SoSH, too):

The Celtics have added another prominent name to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff. A team source confirmed to MassLive that veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has been hired as a senior consultant for the upcoming season. Van Gundy will be working under basketball operations and splitting his time between Boston and Maine, Boston’s G-League affiliate, according to a source.

Sounds like more of an internal scout of their own players than someone advising on in-game stuff, but who knows. I can't wait to see Van Gundy bellied up to the bar at Gritty's.

 

[InstaFace]

Reserve coach in waiting too, like a coach in a glass case - in case of emergency, break glass.

 

[radsoxfan]

Reserve coach in waiting too, like a coach in a glass case - in case of emergency, break glass.

Impossible for that thought not to at least cross Joe’s mind.

I presume they asked him about it and he approved, though kind of awkward to say no in that situation.

 

[the1andonly3003]

Credit to Reddit for hipping me to this one: The Cs website now lists Jeff Van Gundy as the "senior consultant" to the Cs coaching staff. There were rumors of him joining as an assistant back in July, but I haven't seen anything (nor does Google currently turn up anything) about him being hired in an official capacity.

I don't really have any idea what a senior consultant does on a day-to-day basis, whether he's in the building at any point, or whether that's just a retainer so that Coach Joe can call him from time to time to bounce ideas off him, but I think it's interesting to see. Would it be an exclusive position? I can't imagine the Cs would love the idea of him working with other teams if Coach Joe is discussing anything important with him, but I guess guys have to keep confidences in the league all the time.

Anyway, thought it was worth noting and maybe it's another example of the Cs pulling out all the stops this year.

Phil Pressey is a Talent Enhancement Coach. Is that the group that gets dunked on to make the roster look better in pre-game shoot around?

If JVG can whisper into Porzingis and turn him into an Ewing/Ming hybrid, the LFG.

I'll have to check the Stop & Shop/Kohi Coffee around Auerbach Center for JVG sightings

 

[EvilEmpire]

If the relationship is decent, I think it's really helpful for a young coach to have a mentor.

JVG has a good basketball brain.

 

[radsoxfan]

I bet Brad and JVG will watch a lot of games together, shoot the shit, and bounce ideas off each other (sounds fun, I’d love to join and give medical advice for free ).

Now JVG can sometimes be a respected intermediary with Joe and the rest of the staff about personnel, strategy etc.

Potentially less awkward than the guy making all the decisions doing it all the time.

I suppose cynical option #2 is that this is all directed by Wyc as a Trojan horse to get JVG inside the building and those 2 are the buddies here. I highly doubt it, unless he is really down on CJM and doesn’t trust Brad to make that call.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Reserve coach in waiting too, like a coach in a glass case - in case of emergency, break glass.

Maybe a reserve TV analyst too?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Reserve coach in waiting too, like a coach in a glass case - in case of emergency, break glass.

Impossible for that thought not to at least cross Joe’s mind.

I presume they asked him about it and he approved, though kind of awkward to say no in that situation.

Not. A. Chance.

The reserve coaches in waiting are Charles "I'm a General! Wheeeee!!!" Lee and Sam Cassell. Passing those two over for a guy who hasn't coahced in the NBA since 2007 would be a disastrous and foolish move.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I love how all in Wyc and Co. are for this season. JVG knows hoops. No idea what he’ll be doing but having his voice could be useful.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

It would be truly shocking if there is any thought of JVG being a coach in waiting. As was mentioned upthread, there are far more qualified people on the bench already and my sense is that a voice like JVGs would not go over well in the current NBA environment - especially with this Celtics team too. He's the wrong demo in just about every regard so if someone in the building is thinking that way, we should be very concerned.

 

[EvilEmpire]

I think JVG is well suited to be an advisor/mentor precisely because he isn't a candidate to coach again. He has good experience and has continued to be around the game since he stopped coaching, so he's relatively current, but I don't think he's a threat to anyone.

 

[the moops]

It would be truly shocking if there is any thought of JVG being a coach in waiting. As was mentioned upthread, there are far more qualified people on the bench already and my sense is that a voice like JVGs would not go over well in the current NBA environment - especially with this Celtics team too. He's the wrong demo in just about every regard so if someone in the building is thinking that way, we should be very concerned.

I don’t disagree that Van Gundy wouldn’t be the choice but i think it’s a stretch to say there are far more qualified people on the bench. Van Gundy has coached 748 games in the NBA and only once did his teams finish with a losing record.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I think JVG is well suited to be an advisor/mentor precisely because he isn't a candidate to coach again. He has good experience and has continued to be around the game since he stopped coaching, so he's relatively current, but I don't think he's a threat to anyone.

Didn’t someone say that when the Red Sox brought LaRussa in? Never underestimate how stupid some ownerships can be,

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I don’t disagree that Van Gundy wouldn’t be the choice but i think it’s a stretch to say there are far more qualified people on the bench. Van Gundy has coached 748 games in the NBA and only once did his teams finish with a losing record.

Apologies - I wasn't referring to experience. You are correct that he clearly has a leg up on some of the other names mentioned in that regard. Its specifically that he hasn't coached in the league in over a decade and half. While its reasonable to assume Van Gundy could coach the style of play in today's NBA, I am far more skeptical that he could relate to the players given his age, race and the era in which he coached.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

It’s like when the Sox hired LaRussa

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

It’s like when the Sox hired LaRussa

I guess I know who has me on ignore

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I guess I know who has me on ignore

Ha, oops! Missed it. Great minds think alike…or something.

 

[RedOctober3829]

It sounds like he's not really going to be around the team on a day-to-day basis. He's going to bounce between Boston and Portland, Maine. It is still nice to have a veteran voice for Joe to have.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I like this if only insurance for a mid-season reboot if things somehow go poorly. JVG could jump right in.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I guess I know who has me on ignore

Not me. This is an interesting development and its definitely something that bears watching if the team struggles. Its telling if management thinks the next person up is a 61 year old whose last job was coaching these guys - and also a bit concerning.




He did win 52 games doing it but that was a different league.

 

[sezwho]

Some details here from MassLive (they clearly read Reddit/SoSH, too):



Sounds like more of an internal scout of their own players than someone advising on in-game stuff, but who knows. I can't wait to see Van Gundy bellied up to the bar at Gritty's.

The Portland bit was interesting. Not sure how traveling works at the Red Claws level, would he theoretically get a chance to scout some/most of the league without leaving the city? Most of his value will probably come at the NBA level, just curious.

edit - also Pats Pizza.

It would be truly shocking if there is any thought of JVG being a coach in waiting. As was mentioned upthread, there are far more qualified people on the bench already and my sense is that a voice like JVGs would not go over well in the current NBA environment - especially with this Celtics team too. He's the wrong demo in just about every regard so if someone in the building is thinking that way, we should be very concerned.

Thats pretty convincing. To @Ed Hillel‘s point I suppose some kind of parachute situation but boy that would not be desirable outcome.

Honestly, I think it’s just Wyc splashing the pot and bringing talent. Which, f yeah.

 

[Caspir]

Just an opinion, but I think there is zero chance this franchise fires a black coach and replaces him with a white one. It will not happen. Lee or Cassell would take over (my guess is Lee).

 

[DavidTai]

It sounds like he's not really going to be around the team on a day-to-day basis. He's going to bounce between Boston and Portland, Maine. It is still nice to have a veteran voice for Joe to have.

The Maine part is the most interesting because we've seen articles before about Brad wanting to turn Maine into a source of cheap role players. I'm just trying to picture how Van Gundy would fit in that developmental plan.

 

[bankshot1]

My guess is JVG could have had several NBA coaching jobs over the years and opted for lifestyle and a life instead. CJM has his backups in place.

Brad probably wants someone knowledgeable, candid and funny to talk with and who'll schlep to Maine and bring back solid insight and a lobster roll.

 

[lovegtm]

The chance Van Gundy would replace Mazzula is roughly zero, but, out of curiosity, what is the longest break from coaching anyone has taken between gigs?

 

[luckiestman]

The chance Van Gundy would replace Mazzula is roughly zero, but, out of curiosity, what is the longest break from coaching anyone has taken between gigs?

gotta be Hubie

 

[Eddie Jurak]

The chance Van Gundy would replace Mazzula is roughly zero, but, out of curiosity, what is the longest break from coaching anyone has taken between gigs?

I don't know if this is the answer, but Hubie Brown coached the Knicks until 1987 (replaced by... Rick Pitino) and then coached the Memphis GZrizzlies from 2002-2004.

Edit: If we can consider other sports, Dick Vermeil coached the Eagles until 1982 then the Rams in 1997.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Yeah he's taking a consulting role, he'll be a respected voice to chime in for Maine, help staff there, do some scouting, etc.

JVG isn't going to coach this team. If Mazzula got fired (he won't), it would be Lee or Cassel, two guys seen as HC in waiting, not a guy who hasn't coached in a decade

 

[PRabbit]

I see no scenario where Joe Mazz gets fired and The Alien doesn't take over.

 

[reggiecleveland]

When I was doing coach development stuff both Van Gundys were known as down to earth, helpful guys. I never got to do a session with JVG, but heard he was all business, and would respectfully answer any questions.

 

[deythur]

Some details here from MassLive (they clearly read Reddit/SoSH, too):



Sounds like more of an internal scout of their own players than someone advising on in-game stuff, but who knows. I can't wait to see Van Gundy bellied up to the bar at Gritty's.

That would be the place to go to keep a low profile in town. That place has been empty for 5 years now.

 

[Justthetippett]

Brad and JVG sitting court side together yukking it up will be a fun counter to Alonzo and Pat Reilly grimly taking in Heat games. Other than that it's a good move. One thing that JVG always conveyed was a lack of ego. He's here to help, not be a threat.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

That would be the place to go to keep a low profile in town. That place has been empty for 5 years now.

I can’t exactly see him at Blyth & Burrows or Hunt & Alpine.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I see no scenario where Joe Mazz gets fired and The Alien doesn't take over.

Did you see a scenario where Ime was fired and Joe Mazz took over at the last minute?

 

[TripleOT]

JVG is a great add for this title run. Him working with Maine is an added bonus. As he showed when getting the gold in the FIBA AmeriCup in 2017, JVG can work with no name players.

 

[chilidawg]

I see no scenario where Joe Mazz gets fired and The Alien doesn't take over.

Charles Lee says hey, I'm the Associate Head Coach.

 

[Shaky Walton]

I love this move.

JVG has a good, experienced basketball mind. Whether he'd be the next guy up is debatable, and unknowable, right now. But Joe was a bit too unconventional last year (not calling time outs when almost any experienced coach would have; over reliance on 3s; oddly benching players and then coming back to them for big minutes), and maybe having JVG around provides him with an advisor who could help him correct those things to an extent and make him understand that Brad would have an easy alternative if he continued along that path.

I also like the "all in/try anything that might help" feel of this. It reminds me of Belichick in years gone by. Trying anything that might help them win.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

BTW, if JVG was looking to get back into the coaching game, the Celtics are not where he'd be headed.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Not. A. Chance.

100% agree. The kid was thrown blindly to the wolves with no pack to have his back. He knows this, Brad knows this, Wyc knows this.

Anyone in his position, who already had the support of his superiors in being kept as the lone holdover from Brad's staff, would welcome a full and experienced staff to assist him in this process. There wasn't a coach in the entire league last year who faced the obstacles he did.

I see no scenario where Joe Mazz gets fired

Bingo

 

[chilidawg]

From the Athletic:

“(I) try to run a lot of stuff by him (JVG). It’s good to get a guy who hasn’t been here before that can kind of have an unbiased opinion as to where he thinks things are, and where they need to go,” said Mazzulla. “And so he’s kind of like a fresh set of eyes because he’s not around all the time. And he’s looking at it from an unbiased position, which kind of gives us an advantage because you kind of see it in a different perspective.”

https://theathletic.com/4965103/2023/10/16/celtics-sam-cassell-jayson-tatum/

 

[jon abbey]

Just an opinion, but I think there is zero chance this franchise fires a black coach and replaces him with a white one. It will not happen. Lee or Cassell would take over (my guess is Lee).

Just want to say that by this logic, the Celtics would never have a white coach again.