JVG is no Hero to Me

May 5, 2005

Jeff Van Gundy Day?! You must be joking right? A local sports radio station is proclaiming May 5, 2005, "Jeff Van Gundy Day". (Funny, I think Cinco de Mayo is a little bit more important, newsworthy, and noteworthy.) JVG is being lauded for "standing up to the powers that be" (re: NBA Commissioner David Stern) for publicly stating a perceived injustice. Jeff's public stance resulted in a league-record (levied against a coach) $100,000 fine meted out by Stern -- the Overseer. I can honestly say: Jeff is no hero to me. Not one bit. Not even close.

This situation began to simmer Sunday, May 1, when Jeff told reporters from three media outlets -- on the record -- that he had been tipped by an officiating friend (who's not working the playoffs) with access to the league's Web site for officials that the league, as a result of complaints filed by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, had sent a directive to the officials to officiate Houston Rockets center Yao Ming's illegal screens differently than the rest of the players.

Jeff's comments went national Monday morning; and, Stern levied the $100,000 fine Monday afternoon. After Game 5 of the Rockets - Mavs playoff series, Yao Ming told reporters he's willing to pay $50,000 of his coaches fine. Rockets fans began contributing whatever they could to help pay the fine. Now, a few days later, we have JVG Day. Give me a freaking break!

A key point has been missed. Jeff said his source of information was a current NBA official; however, despite insistence from the league office, Jeff will not release the name of the official. As a result, David Stern labeled Jeff a perpetrator for not cooperating with the NBA's investigation. The missed point is why did Jeff say his source was an NBA referee? Plus, Jeff added the important information the referee is not working the 2005 NBA Playoffs. That fact alone narrows the list of possible sources quite a bit. Consider this: there are approximately 58 NBA referees in the league. Out of that 58, 30 qualify to officiate playoff games. Consequently, 28 officials remain from the original 58 who are not working. In other words, Jeff's own remarks have pinned his "friend" in a corner. What kind of friend does that make Jeff? A hero doesn't get his friends in trouble by revealing what a friend just might have told him in confidence. What if Jeff's friend said, "Hey, Jeff, this is between me and you; but..."

Jeff stands by his remarks: "I believe what I believe. I've seen what I've seen."

From my viewpoint, by narrowing down the scope of his friends, Jeff's words make him to be a "rat"; not a hero. Why didn't Jeff say something like this: "Sources have told me the league has contacted the refs to officiate Yao differently than the rest of the players." Using the word "sources" is much more expansive than the "an NBA referee who's a friend I've known a long time and who's not working the playoffs..." statement. Even if Jeff never names his source do you honestly believe the NBA will allow the leak to officiate any more games involving Jeff Van Gundy? Yea, right!

As of right now, approximately 28 people can be considered potential leaks. I';m very confident the league's investigation will trim that number before too much time has passed. Someone will "crack" -- band of loyalty notwithstanding -- because a job as NBA referee pays quite well.

Jeff Van Gundy has been a "shoot straight from the hip" person his entire life; and, his sharp wit and self-deprecating humor have made him a media favorite since he became an NBA head coach. However, though I honestly believe he was simply trying to shift any playoffs pressure from his team onto him, his choice of words on Sunday began a maelstrom which is going to result in someone -- not named Jeff Van Gundy -- losing his job; and, that is not very heroic at all.