Jeff Van Gundy on T-Mac/Kobe

NBA Memorabilia Collector · by **NBA Memorabilia Collector** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:07 pm

When asked about Tracy McGrady's performance tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jeff Van Gundy said:

"I can't explain that...how do you explain that? He's the best player in the league..."

*moment of pause...looks at reporters*

"...he's the best REAL player in the league."

How unprofessional, childish, classless, bitter, and just plain wrong is that???

I wonder if he's putting Kobe down by saying he's playing a clownish/Harlem Globetrotter brand of basketball or if he's giving him a compliment by saying he's "unreal" and simply out of everyone else's league.

Either way, a very dumb thing for a coach to say.

gill · by **gill** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:11 pm

Jeff's just sticking by his player.

Total_Package · by **Total_Package** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:17 pm

How in the world can he say that?
LBJ is playing better then TWack
TMac has been way overated in his career. Throughout his whole career (except with the Rockets), he was with the crap of a franchise Orlando Magic... BALL HOGGING while having people complain that he is killing the team's chemistry by taking all his moronic shots. How many rings does he have? How many appearances has he had in the Defensive team? He dosent have lockdown defense

CaCHooKa Man · by **CaCHooKa Man** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:20 pm

get ready for february 8

lakaboy42 · by **lakaboy42** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:26 pm

i don't get it, he called him a "real player"
im just confused, what's wrong with it?

In The Refrigerator · by **In The Refrigerator** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:31 pm

Of course Jeff knows he’s wrong. He knows he’d rather have Kobe than McGrady, but do you really expect him to come out and say it? T-Mac would be pissed and rightfully so. Obviously he’s gonna stick by his own player, no matter how laughable it may be.

DMK · by **DMK** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:31 pm

Right now, we are really seeing the jealousy and foolishness of some of the folks in and around the nba...

Seperating the ignorent and classless from the smart and respectfull

SOAD · by **SOAD** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:40 pm

DMK wrote:Right now, we are really seeing the jealousy and foolishness of some of the folks in and around the nba...

Seperating the ignorent and classless from the smart and respectfull

Isn't it funny? Baylor who had his record broken was far more respectful than some of these jealous media members, fans etc.

MarkMadsen · by **MarkMadsen** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:44 pm

what makes you think he was talking about kobe? *scratches head*

DMK · by **DMK** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:49 pm

MarkMadsen wrote:what makes you think he was talking about kobe? *scratches head*

Yea, your right.... who says he was implying Kobe? I mean, just because Tmac is compared to Kobe and Kobe just did what ONLY he can do...my guess is van gundy took offense.

Read between the lines...

NBA Memorabilia Collector · by **NBA Memorabilia Collector** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:58 pm

I get that a coach should stick by their player(s), but I don't get why he even had to imply anything.

It's not like he was prompted to talk about Kobe or any kind of comparison. He was asked what he thought about T-Mac's performance in this game.

Very boneheaded move. Should have just discussed what T-Mac did right rather than force up any player vs. player or best player talk.

GCMD · by **GCMD** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:00 pm

Did you really expect him to come out and praise T-Mac?

You know what that would have done? made T-mac DETERMINED to show Kobe up, resulting in multiple LOSSES while the T-Wac Show kept shooting...

He did the right thing, knowing that T-Wac THINKS he is better than Kobe and this recent EVIDENCE that he is not would CONSUME his star player with jealousy...

MarkMadsen · by **MarkMadsen** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:00 pm

DMK wrote:
MarkMadsen wrote:what makes you think he was talking about kobe? *scratches head*

Yea, your right.... who says he was implying Kobe? I mean, just because Tmac is compared to Kobe and Kobe just did what ONLY he can do...my guess is van gundy took offense.

Read between the lines...

well i didnt hear the interview so i dont know what context its coming from...or just maybe your looking too much into it?

hoopschick03 · by **hoopschick03** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:00 pm

Whatever. It's not a big deal. JVG is just trying to keep his guy on the floor and not out another dozen games with that ooch-ouch in his back. And think about it like this:

Remember a time when 40 point games used to be a big deal?? It's not anymore. Kobe has not only raised the bar, he's kicked it out the building. For lesser players, his run is something to admire and marvel at. But for his peers, his competitors, his RIVALS, it's sort of like a 'his is bigger than mine' revelation. JVG is just feeding the self-esteem of his money man.

lakerfool · by **lakerfool** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:01 pm

how do you know he was implying anything?

He probably believes what he says

he's been w/ mac for a couple years, and of course, like a father, he's going to be saying, My son is the best

CALM DOWN.

Not everybody who doesn't give Kobe a B.J. like compliment should be put on salem witch trials. :bang:

mvp · by **mvp** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:01 pm

You guys are misconstruing what Van Gundy was trying to say.

He meant to say that Kobe was UNREAL -- that's a compliment.

klavier84 · by **klavier84** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:04 pm

mvp wrote:You guys are misconstruing what Van Gundy was trying to say.

He meant to say that Kobe was UNREAL -- that's a compliment.

lol good point...

MarkMadsen · by **MarkMadsen** on Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:18 pm

lakerfool wrote:Not everybody who doesn't give Kobe a B.J. like compliment should be put on salem witch trials.

for real..

Chivalry · by **Chivalry** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:38 am

T-Mac is the most feared player in the league.

You don't know when that lazy eye might land on you, and when it does...instant paralysis.

Seriously, I still think he's the 2nd best (a distant second) perimeter player in the game.

GWHiZiTSPHiL · by **GWHiZiTSPHiL** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:51 am

gill wrote:Jeff's just sticking by his player.

JerryWest_44 · by **JerryWest_44** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:15 am

lakaboy42 wrote:i don't get it, he called him a "real player"
im just confused, what's wrong with it?

Here's JVG out -- because Kobe plays on a supernatural(unreal, on another planet) level hence he's not a real "natural" player.

by **tdn3t** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:22 am

hold on now , whoever posted this , tried to start up some contreversy , JVG never said that , he said tracy mcgrady is "the best ROAD player in the league"

Showtime.Revival.05 · by **Showtime.Revival.05** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:24 am

mvp wrote:You guys are misconstruing what Van Gundy was trying to say.

He meant to say that Kobe was UNREAL -- that's a compliment.

was about to say that

by **tdn3t** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:24 am

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt= ... 15&prov=ap theres the interview.

nameant · by **nameant** on Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:25 am

lock this.

You can't explain it," Van Gundy said after his team improved to 11-13 away from Houston. "He's the best road player in the league."

Jeff Van Gundy on T-Mac/Kobe

Jeff Van Gundy on T-Mac/Kobe

whoooooooooooaaaaa!!

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