The Varsity Hoop Talk With Stan Van!
Feb 2, 2025
Stan Van Gundy, a former NBA coach and current TNT analyst, dives into the current state of basketball with keen insights. He discusses the evolving landscape of player empowerment and the rise of 3-point shooting. College basketball also takes center stage as he addresses the impact of NIL deals and the transfer portal on player decisions. Van Gundy calls for a balance between tradition and innovation, advocating for contracts to ensure stability within college sports. His thoughts on the future of the league are both enlightening and engaging.
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Basketball Upbringing
- Stan Van Gundy grew up around basketball, attending practices and games with his father and his father's coaching friends.
- This upbringing fostered a love for the game and influenced his career path, as his father always said he "never worked a day in his life."
Playing Days
- As a 5'8" point guard, Van Gundy describes himself as slow, unable to jump, and an adequate ball-handler at best.
- He primarily focused on scoring, admitting he wasn't very good until his senior year in college.
NBA's Health
- Despite calls for rule changes, the NBA offers an exciting product with highly skilled players.
- The league should continuously seek improvement, similar to baseball's recent rule changes.