Van Gundy weighs in
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy spoke with Mike Fratello, whom he has called his closest friend among NBA coaches, on Friday, a day after Fratello was dismissed as Memphis coach.
"I don't think it ever makes your day, being fired," Van Gundy said. "I think he's really proud of what he did there and he should be. The sting will go away after a period of reflection. I feel for him because I know him. Taking the objective approach, I know how good a coach he is. That's not up for debate."
Van Gundy, however, said he was not surprised that Fratello was fired.
"It's predictable," Van Gundy said. "Struggle due to injury (to Pau Gasol). Scapegoat needed. Coach fired. It's not surprising. It happens in every sport, every year. It can happen to great coaches, and he's a great coach."
"People want to talk about style of play. All I know, when you're going against well-coached teams you know it as another coach. He's a great coach.
"It's very interesting how things can conspire to force change. They try to win last year, the Clippers dump games, get a favorable playoff seeding by dumping. They win around (beating the Nuggets). Mike Dunleavy should and did get a contract extension. Memphis loses to the best team in the West (Dallas) and all sorts of changes are made."
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