Stan Van Gundy and Tyronn Lue are expected to be among the finalists for the Pelicans‘ head coaching job, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to Wojnarowski, Van Gundy is meeting with New Orleans team officials today, while Lue has a meeting set for later this week. The Pelicans are expected to identify a group of four finalists to replace Alvin Gentry, per Woj.
So far this year, we’ve heard Jeff Van Gundy linked to multiple NBA head coaching jobs – including the Clippers’ and Rockets’ openings – but there hadn’t been a whole lot of chatter about the possibility of his brother returning to the sidelines.
Stan Van Gundy previously served as the head coach for the Heat, Magic, and Pistons, enjoying his most successful run in Orlando, where he led the Magic to a 259-135 (.657) record over five seasons and made the NBA Finals in 2009.
Van Gundy had a shakier experience in Detroit from 2014-18, compiling a 152-176 (.463) record. However, he held a dual role with the Pistons, also working as the team’s president of basketball operations. Presumably, he wouldn’t be nearly as involved in personnel decisions if he were to be hired by New Orleans, freeing him up to focus on coaching.
As for Lue, he has long been viewed as a potential favorite for the Pelicans’ job, given his connection to executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin — the two men worked together in Cleveland. Lue is also very much in the mix for the Clippers‘ and Rockets‘ jobs, so it’s possible he’ll end up having to choose between two or more offers.
Is Lue really a candidate?…Griffin has a pretty thorough knowledge of what his tenure in Cleveland involved…that will kind of work against him not for him.
Van Gundy ? Not progressive enough. LBJ won’t approve. Has Nike approved also?
Didn’t know that SVG still had interest in an NBA coaching job.
If he and Lue are the top candidates for the PELS, then SVG is the obvious one to pick.
Reddick approves also …….. some of his best years were with SVG.
Yep I would agree, that 2009 Magic team imo paved the way for the 3 point explosion in the NBA…their trouble was they celebrated after beating Lebron and the Cavs like they won a championship and completely logged out against Kobe and the Lakers…other than that great team that year that did a lot of exciting stuff and was great to watch.
This is a good place for Lue. Has good young talent and picks. He can mold this team with his vision. I’m him, I take this job.
The PELS are way too young for a players-coach like Lue …….. there’s not (yet) much ego there to massage and manage.
The kids there need an actual coach who knows the X’s and O’s.
I’d take SVG is he’s indeed a candidate. Just don’t give him any GM functions.
None of these options sound as if this team will progress next year. I love it.
It’s horrible. This is the best they could come up with?
Confused about why the same failures called coaches keep getting jobs. You’re telling me there isn’t anyone new out there? Pretty boring watching players and coaches change teams every 2 years…