I Love You Jeff Van Gundy, and if my efforts do you and your league some good, all i ask is that you bring you and all your basketball friends to Kickball one night. Be sure to bring the Knicks' dancers, as you need at least Three (3) Women in the field.
Mr. Van Gundy Throws Out the First Pitch at Shea during the 1999 Mets - Yanks Interleague Play
Dear Senator Bradley,
When I saw the story about Mr. Van Gundy, whom I must assume you know personally, and believe is a great, honest Coach, I was completely aghast. First came the unjust fine of $100,000 (a penny is too much), and now Mr. Stern is considering treating Mr. Van Gundy as if he were Pete Rose.
This controversy raises two issues:
1. In all of Sports, should the Commissioner, who is first and foremost the Chief Promoter of his respective league, be in charge of the Officiating? Is that not an inherent conflict of interest? At the very least, there is the appearance of one, and the suspicions are particularly most vivid in games like football and basketball, where there are so many subjective calls. If a Commissioner runs Promotion, Accounts Receivable, Officiating, and the Lottery Drafts, then how can a fan tell the difference between David Stern and Vince McMahon?
2. Is Mr. Stern good for the NBA? There are so many examples to the contrary (the playoff system, over-expansion, the CBA, and 1997), but on the matter of Mr. Van Gundy, he clearly has abused the power of somebody entrusted with the good of the game. There should be no discussions whatsoever between the Officials and the Commissioner, ever, especially during the Playoffs. There should be no intrigue regarding the officiating. Moreover, when a beloved, respected Coach challenges Mr. Stern on his officiating policy, he receives an unprecedented fine and threats of expulsion.
I implore you to call all parties and resolve this matter. You are the best possible person to establish integrity to the great game you once played. The NBA needs some major changes, and only you and your friends from the league can implement them. If Mr. Stern resists you, then you should publicly question his authority and his system. You are among the few with the clout to force the needed changes in the NBA.
Regarding these issues, you can call on me whenever you wish for whatever you want. My numbers are 201-255-0484, and 908-875-3236. I know you’re in the private sector now, but I have lived in my beloved New Jersey most of my life, and currently reside in nearby Jersey City Heights.
Respectfully, Gratefully,
Kevin Dailey