The head coach of new Orleans pelicans and two all-tim players has officially announced their departure Due to…
Stan Van Gundy was miserable as a coach. But he was even more unhappy when he wasn’t coaching. So consider Van Gundy less miserable. According to a source familiar with the issue, Van Gundy has agreed to a multi-year contract to coach the New Orleans Pelicans. The individual requested anonymity since he was not authorized to talk publicly before the team issued an official statement.
Van Gundy inherits a club brimming with young talent and a bright future, led by forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year. They also feature young guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, center Jaxson Hayes, and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In addition, the Pelicans boast guards Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick, as well as forward Nicolo Melli. Williamson played only 24 games due to injuries, but he averaged 22.5 points and shot 58.3% from the field.
Last season, New Orleans went 30-42, including 2-6 in the NBA Challenge, which destroyed its playoff aspirations. After leaving the Orlando bubble, the Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry. Van Gundy has a 523-384 record over 12 seasons with Miami, Orlando, and Detroit. His most successful tenure was with the Magic, who made the playoffs five straight years, including a Finals appearance in 2009. Van Gundy was sacked by the Pistons after the 2017-18 season, and he has spent the previous two seasons working in television while still advocating for social and racial justice in the community and on Twitter.
“I don’t care who you are, what job you are in, when you’ve worked at something for a long time and tried to become good at it and everything else, it’s not easy to walk away – particularly when it’s not on your own terms,” Van Gundy said to the Detroit Free Press two years earlier. “Kim’s (his wife) main concern is that I’m not happy (during seasons). You don’t have to do it, so why would you 7do something you don’t enjoy?
“If I’m not happy, it’s hard for the people around me to be happy.” Van Gundy, 61, knew he’d be drawn to coaching again after his tenure in Detroit ended with three losing seasons and only one postseason appearance from 2014 to 2018.
