Following the Conference Finals loss last year despite coming back from a 0-3 hole, the Celtics introduced Jeff Van Gundy as a senior consultant to basketball operations. Boston came quite close to winning it all in the last few years but couldn’t manage to finish. It seems as if after Van Gundy’s arrival, the team was complete in every aspect. However, Jeff will be moving to the West this summer, joining Ty Lue‘s coaching staff in LA.

This move marks an important shift for both Van Gundy and the Clippers, intertwining decades of coaching prowess and a shared history rooted in Team USA. Lue and Van Gundy’s relationship goes way back to the Team USA basketball staff. During his tenure in Houston, Van Gundy met Lue for the first time in 2004 following a trade involving Tracy McGrady. Looking at his record, Van Gundy was quite a successful head coach. After spending four seasons in Houston, the franchise fired him after which Van Gundy wasn’t seen on the sidelines. He joined the ESPN broadcast team, with legendary Mike Breen and Mark Jackson, as a commentator.

After over 16 years with ESPN, he received multiple head coaching roles from teams as well as from colleges. However, he never accepted any of them. Now, after winning a championship as a senior consultant, Van Gundy has finally decided to join a coaching staff after 17 years. Lue and Van Gundy have known each other for long and their reunion in LA will be one to witness. The Clippers have failed to find success despite having a stacked roster of elite players.

Van Gundy will be the lead assistant to Ty Lue’s staff, becoming one of the key coaches of the Clippers. Ever since they introduced Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden, the Clippers have stumbled on one of the other aspects. With Van Gundy and Ty Lue’s duo given their history, the franchise can expect a change next season.

Ty Lue’s strong right hand will have quite some expectations on his shoulders

Ty Lue’s strong right hand will have quite some expectations on his shoulders. Back in 2021, the Clippers made it to the Conference Finals, but couldn’t outlast the Suns. That was the closest they were to winning a championship. Each season, the Clippers manage to establish themselves as a major threat in the West. Come playoff time and the team is either affected by injuries or simply lack of performance.

With one of the finest minds in basketball among the new coaching staff, the Clippers will look to make some serious changes to their strategies this summer. Not only that, but it will be interesting to see how Lue and Van Gundy approach the highlighted trio for the upcoming season.

Van Gundy will be the hidden architect behind the Clippers’ game plan next season. Lue has had a rough stretch himself. He spent a year as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers before taking over the head coaching position. For the most part, he has done a great job so far, but the results from a team with four All-Stars were not up to anyone’s expectations. This time there is a major addition to the coaching staff instead of the roster as the Clippers will look to finally make it big time next season.

What are your thoughts on Van Gundy joining the Clippers? Let us know in the comments.

And before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about WNBA stars, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.