Jeff Van Gundy: Rooting for the Magic

Besides being one member of the three-pronged announcing team that will cover every game of the NBA Finals for ABC, Jeff Van Gundy just happens to have the same last name as the head coach of the Orlando Magic.

Stan Van Gundy is Jeff's older brother, but according to the network, there's no conflict of interest -- despite the fact that Jeff has come right out and admitted that he'll be rooting for the Magic to take home the title.

"I'm going to try to be as objective as possible," he said, "but I want my brother's team to win; there's no question about that."

When Stan Van Gundy's Magic took a 2-1 series lead over the Cavaliers, his younger brother discussed the looming potential conflict with his coordinating producer, Tim Corrigan.

"I said, 'Hey, listen, if you guys don't think it's best for me to call the Finals, I'm fine with that, and I understand,''' he said. "I don't want to compromise anything. They said they wanted me to do it.''

So what do you think, does Jeff saying he wants the Magic to win present a credibility problem for the network when he's calling the games? I don't think it does.

We all knew that Jeff would be rooting for Stan's team in these Finals, right? The fact that he came out and said it doesn't really change anything, and in fact, it's probably best that he brought it up before somebody else did.

It's doubtful we'll hear Jeff say anything that's outrageously in favor of the Magic, especially during the early games of the series. If anything, he'll probably go out of his way to praise the Lakers just to avoid any appearances of impropriety.

But as the series wears on, and especially if there's anything controversial happening that could cost the Magic a shot at winning this thing, don't be surprised if Jeff takes the side of his brother's squad. I don't have any problem with it at all, but the reality is this: we all have our loyalties.

[via Awful Announcing]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-01-2009 @ 7:35PM

Matt Watson said...

It's not too different than Lakers legend/part-owner Magic Johnson being part of ESPN's studio show.

6-02-2009 @ 1:00AM

Bryan said...

they should swap Mark Jackson for Magic Johnson, that way it's even, and probably way more entertaining

6-01-2009 @ 10:40PM

yang.jae said...

They used to let Tommy Heinsohn call the NBA finals during the Magic/Bird era. Just sayin'

6-01-2009 @ 8:56PM

Martin said...

I don't care about Van Gundy's bias. I just think he makes a lot of stupid comments, and that ABC could find a more intelligent coach or ex-coach to provide analysis.

6-01-2009 @ 9:58PM

Giles said...

Sports coverage is over staffed. Which is the bulk of the fun for some folks. For tv, you could get by with the stadium announcer, etc., and additional graphics. For radio, you need an announcer. One announcer. Not that I mind over staffing. Have a cousin in the USC Hall of Fame as a football analyst, a second voice on radio, etc. With three announcers on the sideline, there would tend to be a neutral play by play guy, and two opposing devil`s advocates anyway, role playing as if they were really rooting for one team against the other. If sibling rivalry doesn`t get Jeff saying he could coach better than Stan, and do this different and that different, maybe he`ll be offset by the other analyst kissing the Lakers where they like it. Could be mishandled, as could Earvin`s chat. He could kiss stars as if they win games. Ask the mvp if he won his series. Stars don`t win games, teams do. But if Bynum doesn`t man up on D, Odom doesn`t man up on O, or the Lakers otherwise don`t play well, expect Earvin to read the scoreboard and comment. The problem will tend to come more with technicals/fights, more emotional issues. And it is like urging teen abstainance. Maybe a good idea, but way unrealistic, be nice if they were no fights/techs, but there probably will be. Bryant will elbow a guy looking for a shot, and/or Howard will elbow a guy, on either team, looking to clear a rebound. Let`s hope there is some balance then, the analyst with Earvin or Jeff taking the opposing view, regardless if they are over harsh to the team they root for or the opponent.

6-02-2009 @ 12:04AM

ddspyman9 said...

I personally find Mike Breen the worst/most annoying play-by-play guy in the history of the sport.

"Puts it in" or variations like "flips it in", "rattles it in", "banks it in", etc. are used on every made hoop. It's plain annoying. A 22 foot jumper is not "putting it in". A layup is putting it in.

Van Gundy has the most radical ideas ever and you pretty much have to ignore what he says. I don't mind Mark Jackson as much, with his "Mama there goes that man", and "You're betta than that"

Get Marv Albert, Doug Collins and Hubie Brown.

I'll be watching this year's finals on mute.