Van Gundy, Jackson aren’t going there with Kevin Durant doubts
Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson had precious little to say on whether they believe Kevin Durant should seriously consider New York as a prime destination.
But the legendary broadcasting duo know the notion the Warriors are better — or as good — without the injured Durant is ludicrous.
“He’s an all-time great,’’ Van Gundy said during Tuesday’s ESPN/ABC conference call to promote the NBA Finals that begin Thursday. “That’s why everyone wants him — Golden State, every team with cap space. He can name his place. He can walk in and anyone with money will take him. Let the tampering begin.”
Van Gundy, who will broadcast a record 13th NBA Finals, said he won’t attempt to predict Durant’s future, saying he “has no idea’’ and is not familiar with what is important to him in a decision that hangs over the Raptors-Warriors Finals matchup.
“I don’t know what his priorities are, so I can’t begin to give advice,’’ said Van Gundy, who guided the Knicks to their last NBA Finals berth 20 years ago. “He has to do what’s in his heart. Whatever brings him the most amount of happiness…No matter where he plays, the team that he plays for is going to be very fortunate and they’re going to win and win big.”
Jackson, the former St. John’s and Knicks star, who interviewed for the head-coaching job with president Steve Mills a year ago, wouldn’t lobby on the Knicks’ behalf. When Jackson was up for the Knicks job, Durant’s manager, Rich Kleiman tweeted support.
“Durant has to do what’s best for him,’’ Jackson said Tuesday. “What he believes is the best situation is for him.’’
Van Gundy’s and Jackson’s hackles were instead raised by a theory that Durant’s greatness is diminished if Golden State wins another title without him. Durant is out with a calf strain for at least Game 1 and possibly the series. Because he is injured, Durant will not be available to speak to the media with the rest of the Finals players on Wednesday.
“You can’t be better than they’ve been with Durant,’’ Van Gundy said. “He’s been with them for two years, they’ve won two championships and he’s won Finals MVP twice. You can’t do better than that.”
Van Gundy acknowledged Golden State’s style changes to more movement without Durant, but that’s just a testament to its adaptability.
“As far as the record without him, you can’t explain that away as some fluke,” Van Gundy said. “It just shows you how great they are. They can be missing this top-10 player of all time and still be able to dig a hole for themselves in three straight playoffs games and come back. (Stephen) Curry, (Klay) Thompson and (Draymond) Green can play great basketball. I’m amazed at everything they’ve done with and without Durant. It’s incredible.
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“We’re in a time and place where we’re just absolutely dying to pick people apart to negate their greatness, Durant’s great. He wasn’t part of the group that lost to the Cavs. He’s the one who beat them twice. I’m not sure why we’re trying to as a basketball community nitpick instead of just saying he’s an all-time great.”
Jackson said anywhere Durant goes, he’ll make them a serious playoff team. Coach David Fizdale guided the Knicks to the worst record in the NBA at 17-65. Van Gundy was not granted an interview for that head-coaching job last year.
“Kevin Durant is a game-changer,’’ Jackson said. “If he stays, if he goes to another team, another team would have a legit chance of being relevant and winning. But this is a team (Golden State) that’s not going anywhere.’’
