'Stan Spittin': Kevin Durant Praises Magic Ex Coach... But Van Gundy Didn't Realize It
Stan Van Gundy is enjoying a successful analyst career after his coaching days, which were highlighted by his run leading the Orlando Magic from 2007-12.
Van Gundy is widely respected in NBA circles, having also coached for the Detroit Pistons (2014-18) and New Orleans Pelicans (2020-21) before heading over to TV.
Being a television analyst, Van Gundy is still outspoken on how today's game is and the differences between now and then.
"90’s NBA teams had just a trainer and a strength coach, they practiced more often and harder and played more back to backs," Van Gundy tweeted. "Teams now have huge medical & “performance” staffs and value rest over practice. Yet injuries and games missed are way up. Something’s not working!"
Van Gundy then received a reply from one of the current NBA greats ... Kevin Durant.
"Stan spittin," Durant responded in agreement with Van Gundy's tweet.
However, Van Gundy didn't see it that way and felt Durant was criticizing his take.
So he continued the conversation to defend his stance ...
"No. I’m not criticizing players," Van Gundy said. "I’m saying that we are getting something wrong in how we prepare and train players. We can’t do anything about injuries like yours, he fell on your leg. But all of these groin, hamstring injuries etc. shouldn’t be happening as much as they are."
But Durant, one of the few players who played in the 2000s, agreed with Van Gundy, but the 61-year-old coach didn't understand the vocabulary of today.
So the next time Van Gundy spits on Twitter or in the booth, maybe he'll understand the compliment the next time he receives one.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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