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Jeff Van Gundy has agreed to become the lead assistant on Ty Lue's coaching staff for the LA Clippers, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This move comes after Van Gundy played a pivotal role as a senior consultant for the Boston Celtics, helping them secure their 18th NBA championship.
Van Gundy's return to coaching has been highly anticipated, given his extensive experience and basketball acumen. Known for his strategic mind, Van Gundy has been out of the NBA coaching scene for a while but remained active in basketball through broadcasting and involvement with USA Basketball. His relationship with Ty Lue and the Clippers' admiration for his expertise significantly influenced this decision.
Van Gundy's coaching career includes stints with the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets, where he amassed a .575 winning percentage and led teams to the playoffs nine times.
Despite his success, he transitioned to a broadcasting role with ESPN, becoming a well-respected analyst. His departure from ESPN in 2023 marked the end of a 16-year tenure, but it also paved the way for his return to coaching with the Celtics.
During his time with the Celtics, Van Gundy worked closely with Brad Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla, contributing to the team’s strategic planning and player development.
His impact was evident as the Celtics clinched the championship, breaking their 16-year title drought. Van Gundy's experience and insights were invaluable, and his role in the team's success demonstrated his enduring influence in the game.
Now, as he joins the Clippers, Van Gundy brings a wealth of knowledge and a winning mentality to a team that has struggled to capitalize on its star-studded roster. The Clippers, featuring superstars like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, have faced early playoff exits in recent years. Van Gundy's addition aims to change that trajectory, providing the team with a strategic edge and seasoned leadership.
Jeff Van Gundy's new role with the Clippers signifies a fresh chapter in his career and offers a promising outlook for the team. His experience and proven track record in high-pressure situations make him a valuable asset to the Clippers' coaching staff. As the Clippers aim for their first-ever NBA title, Van Gundy's presence could be the catalyst they need to achieve success.
The Clippers Had A Similar Blueprint To The Celtics But It Didn't Work Out
The Clippers' roster construction for the 2023-24 NBA season bore a strong resemblance to that of the Boston Celtics. With Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Paul George serving as the primary creators, they were complemented by a deep bench featuring Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, and Ivica Zubac, among others.
This depth and star power mirrored the Celtics' formula of having multiple star players supported by a robust supporting cast.
Initially, the Clippers appeared poised for a successful campaign. After acquiring James Harden at the start of the season, they hit a hot streak in December and January, consistently hovering around the first spot in the Western Conference standings. They excelled on both ends of the floor and were particularly lethal from beyond the arc, leading the league in three-point shooting.
However, the post-All-Star break period saw a dramatic shift in their fortunes. The Clippers fell from the top spot race to fourth in the West. Injuries played a significant role in this decline, with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George missing crucial stretches of the season.
Leonard's injury just before the playoffs proved particularly damaging. Upon his return, the team struggled to reintegrate him, disrupting their on-court chemistry and performance.
The Clippers' decline contrasts sharply with the Celtics' successful season, which culminated in an 18th NBA title. The Celtics managed to maintain consistency and health, allowing their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to lead the team effectively throughout the year. Their balanced approach and ability to adapt to challenges were key factors in their championship run.
Looking ahead, the Clippers are likely to retain their core roster for another attempt at glory. Learning from the Celtics' blueprint will be crucial. This includes maintaining consistency, managing player health effectively, and ensuring seamless reintegration of players returning from injury. The Clippers have the talent and depth to contend for a title, but they must address the issues that led to their post-All-Star break collapse.
By analyzing and emulating the Celtics' successful strategies, the Clippers can hope to avoid a repeat of this season's disappointments. With adjustments and a renewed focus, they have the potential to be a formidable force in the upcoming season.
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2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers Player Review: Jalen Hood-Schifino
The Los Angeles Lakers took an upside swing on Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, hoping the Indiana lead guard could develop into a ball-handler and playmaker. Hood-Schifino showed promise in college as a freshman, though the understanding was that it would take time for him to develop at the professional level. It was a curious selection at the time given that the Lakers have never operated with a lead guard like Hood-Schifino while LeBron James was on the roster. Also, players like Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Cam Whitmore were still available on the board when Los Angeles decided to go with Hood-Schifino. Suffice to say, Hood-Schifino’s rookie year in Los Angeles was muted as he failed to see the floor and saw his season cut short due to a back injury. Entering his sophomore season, there was some optimism that the guard could show more of what he could do with better health. Unfortunately, it was more of the same for the young guard as he failed to crack head coach JJ Redick’s rotation and found himself riding the bench. Hood-Schifino did end up being a useful piece for Los Angeles, though it came in the form of a trade as he was a part of the three-team deal that brought the purple and gold Luka Doncic. Hood-Schifino was sent to the Utah Jazz but did not appear in a game for them as he was subsequently waived. He went on to sign a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and finished the 2024-25 season with the organization. It was a disappointing end to Hood-Schifino’s short tenure with Los Angeles, but the guard now gets an opportunity to develop behind the scenes with another team. 2024-25 Highlight While Hood-Schifino only appeared in two games for the Lakers during the regular season, he got more minutes for a ravaged 76ers team that was looking to tank in the second half of the year. After signing his two-way deal, Hood-Schfino went on to score a career-high 19 points in a win against the Dallas Mavericks. He had his most complete game later in the regular season when he recorded 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in a loss to Toronto Raptors. 2025-26 Outlook Hood-Schifino will likely see more time in the G League when Philadelphia is fully healthy, though he could get called up to serve as depth throughout the year.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors
Shortly after former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy shared that someone "in the know" believes there's a possibility Nick Saban — who retired in January 2024 — might return to coaching, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the Dallas Cowboys could be a potential destination for the seven-time national champion. According to Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Saban was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he intends to come out of retirement. "No, I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now," Saban responded. "It's exciting to still be involved in the game. It's exciting for me to work with athletic directors, conference commissioners, people in Congress to preserve the integrity of our game and continue to be able to create opportunities to help young people create value for their future that will help them be successful in their life, which is what we always try to do as a coach." Saban, now working as an ESPN analyst, will be 74 in October. Per Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner, President Donald Trump could consider having Saban "lead a new commission examining problems arising with the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and coinciding changes to the NCAA transfer process." Meanwhile, it's thought that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could look to hire a big-name candidate if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer fails to impress during the 2025 campaign. Additionally, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently hinted that Saban could be interested in becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Browns if the team selects Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the first pick in the 2026 draft. "There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enhance me to go back to coaching," Saban added during Friday's segment. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationships with the players. I loved the competition. But it's another station of life now. I enjoy what I'm doing right now and want to continue to do it — spend more time with my family, my grandchildren, my children. It's been really, really good." The "right now" portion of Saban's comments attracted the attention of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who was quick to point out he did not say "no for good" regarding a return to coaching. In short, it seems that rumors about Saban's future could hover over the college and pro football communities through at least the rest of the year.
Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.
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