Jeff Van Gundy warns NBA Commissioner David Stern about post lockout
Since the lockout took its first breath, the NBA Commissioner David Stern has been the only person dishing out warnings and threatening owners and players association with the ugly consequences of the elongated work stoppage.
However, this time, former Houston Rockets’ head coach Jeff Van Gundy has a warning for Stern.
The 49-year-old Van Gundy, who was coaching the New York Knicks when the league locked out its players last time in 1999, has cautioned the NBA Commissionaire not to make the same mistake which was made last time after the lockout
was lifted.
The basketball quality was substandard at that time as a result of less training camp and overstuffed schedule of games.
Jeff Van Gundy believes that the fans deserve to see the top quality basketball after paying so much money. And for that, the league has to refrain from shortening camps and practice games so that the players are able to get enough
time to practice and prepare for the season.
“The fans deserve what they’re accustomed to seeing, the best basketball in the world even if it costs the players and owners money. I’m hopeful the league learned from 1999 and doesn’t rush it and realize one more week of patience,
one more week of camp would be beneficial to the fans. I’m hoping the league doesn’t rush teams into action. We have history to show some people reported in horrible shape.” Van Gundy said.
The regular season games which were scheduled in November are lost due to lockout and squeezing in as many games as possible will only benefit owners and players, not the fans. According to Jeff Van Gundy, the league needs to show
with their action and not just with words that fans are important.
If the cost has to be paid, it should be paid by NBA owners and players, instead of fans paying for poor basketball.
“Don’t just say the fans are important. Act in a manner in which you show the fans truly are important.’’ Van Gundy said.
Having said that, Jeff Van Gundy also hopes that NBA offers discounts and concessions on the tickets as they did last time to make up for the work stoppage.
Although no meetings are schedule at the moment for negotiation, however, players association is expected to have their internal gathering through weekends to discuss their future move. The sources suggest that the union president
Derek Fisher is in favour of a 50-50 split but the things will become clear once both the parties take it to the table once again.
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