New Orleans Pelicans coaching search: Pros and Cons of Stan Van Gundy

New Orleans Pelicans coaching search: Stan Van Gundy

Team Culture

One of David Griffin’s favorite words is culture. He wants to bring in a coach that can establish a winning attitude and culture in New Orleans so that winning seasons come more consistently.

Can Stan Van Gundy establish the right culture?

Pros: Stan Van Gundy is well-respected around the league. He’s been very outspoken about social issues, which has undoubtedly earned him some fans among the players. He is known for holding players accountable and making sure they give 100 percent on every possession, something that was definitely missing under Alvin Gentry.

Van Gundy has been around and is a well-known name that the players will respect. Veteran J.J. Redick raves about Van Gundy (and vice versa) since his time in Orlando and will get the rest of the team on board. Even when the Pistons were losing, Van Gundy never lost the team and they always played hard for him, which is a good sign. If you are looking for a respected voice to establish a winning attitude, Van Gundy has shown he can do it.

Cons: Stan Van Gundy is 61-years-old and has now been out of the league since 2018. Yes, he is “woke” but are we sure he’s going to be able to jel with a bunch of 20 -year-olds? Van Gundy was also brought in to change the culture of the Detroit Pistons, how’d that go? The Pistons still stink and to be honest, Van Gundy left the team in shambles after making the disastrous trade for Blake Griffin. Van Gundy wouldn’t have personnel decisions in New Orleans, and if his track record serves as a preview, he shouldn’t even be allowed in the room.

Van Gundy was very successful in establishing a winning culture in Miami and Orlando but flamed out in Detroit, his most recent job. He has the resume and experience to get it done again, but the Pelicans’ youth could be an obstacle.

Speaking of youth, how has Van Gundy been at developing players?