ESPN has announced some drastic moves, letting go of some of their big names in broadcasting. Jalen Rose has been let go, along with the likes of Vince Carter and Max Kellerman. But perhaps the most noticeable one is Jeff Van Gundy.
Van Gundy has been a part of the broadcast for years, covering the biggest NBA games alongside Mike Breen and Mark Jackson. And another former Head Coach, George Karl, has suggested that Jackson should have been let go instead of the former Knicks coach.
“Letting go of JVG but not the guy who left Jokic out of his top 5 MVP candidates??” Karl wrote on Twitter, where he is quite active.
Letting go of JVG but not the guy who left Jokic out of his top 5 MVP candidates?? 😳
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) June 30, 2023
The point he is making is regarding Mark Jackson leaving Nikola Jokic off of his MVP ballot, which is a pretty bad look. Jokic has won two MVPs in the last three seasons and had a serious case to win it over Joel Embiid in 2023, too, although he lost out after a strong burst by Embiid in the final stretch.
In any case, Van Gundy being let go is surprising, considering what a staple he had become on commentary for NBA playoffs and Finals games. Whoever ESPN chooses next will have big shoes to fill, and it is unlikely that they will be able to recreate the chemistry that Breen, Jackson, and Van Gundy had with one another.
Mark Jackson Apologized For Leaving Nikola Jokic Off Of His MVP Ballot
Leaving a leading MVP candidate off the ballot is the sort of mistake that follows you around. But while Mark Jackson has earned criticism for it, and indeed, some of the things he did when he was Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, he has accepted he got it wrong. He apologized to Jokic and the Nuggets after the news went viral.
“You make a mistake you own it… Absolute mistake made by me… You can tell I put one center, two forwards, and two guards… I wasn’t even thinking. I apologize to the Denver Nuggets. I apologize to Nikola Jokic.”
In this scenario, it seems that George Karl seems to have a personal preference for Van Gundy over Jackson more than anything else. Ultimately, it comes down to each individual, some enjoyed the insights and analysis Van Gundy brought to the game, while surely others prefer hearing from Jackson instead.
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