It’s no secret that JJ Redick has served as one of Stan Van Gundy’s biggest advocates as the Pelicans circled the former head coach as a potential candidate for the franchise’s vacancy on the sidelines. It should then come as no surprise that Redick was particularly excited for Van Gundy’s appointment as New Orleans’ new head coach.
In Wednesday’s episode of Redick’s podcast The Old Man & the Three, he discussed Van Gundy’s hiring and his reaction.
“I think it’s an unbelievable hire. I had mentioned to Griff back in August that I thought he would be great for the job. I think it’s the right guy for the right team at the right time. I think our team will really respond to Stan. He’s so detail-oriented. He’s so thoughtful. He’s a great coach. I’ve said this many times but I would not be the player I am in the NBA if it wasn’t for Stan so I’m really excited about the opportunity to play for him again and see us build this thing out in New Orleans.”
In an unrelated podcast appearance earlier in the off-season, Redick discussed Van Gundy prior to him publicly being a candidate for the Pelicans’ job. Redick talked not just about Van Gundy’s coaching ability but the impact he’d had on him personally.
“I think Stan probably had a bigger impact on my career than any coach I’ve played for. Doc as well because Doc was the first coach who looked at me as a starter and gave me more of a role on offense. But Stan (is) probably the best coach I’ve played for in the NBA.”
During Van Gundy’s introductory press conference, he discussed his relationship with Redick, who he coached for just over five seasons in Orlando.
“My relationship with JJ is one that I treasure. JJ and I were together for five years in Orlando. I saw him work every single day – one of the most focused, committed people I have seen in 25 years in this league. He’s someone that’s very thoughtful, not just about the game, but about everything in life, so he’s somebody that I’ve stayed in touch with over these last eight years when we haven’t been together. I have a great deal of respect for him, and one of the things that he said to me, and probably the most important thing, is that, ‘We have great people on this team, these are all great people, there’s not one bad guy. You’re going to love coaching this team, Stan,’ and so that was meaningful to me because I know when JJ talks about someone being a great person, a great teammate, I know what his standards are, and they’re very high, so that was very meaningful to me.”
Redick will almost certainly serve as one of the Pelicans’ leaders next season. His role in the locker room was already established this season as he gained teammates’ respect through his hard work and diligence throughout the season.
Having a leader in the locker room hold the coach in such high regard will do wonders for Van Gundy as he looks to win over his new team in what is shaping up to be a frenetic 2020-21 season on the horizon.
