SVG threatens to boycott ESPN interview over Ball story
Rick Carlisle and Steve Kerr aren't the only NBA coaches fed up with the media's focus on LaVar Ball's antics. Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said Monday that he'll skip his ESPN interview when the network televises Detroit's Jan. 19 game against the Washington Wizards.
"I'm not meeting with their announcing crew before the game, I'm not doing the in-game interview," Van Gundy said, via Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm not going to participate in the thing."
Related: Kerr calls LaVar the 'Kardashian of the NBA'
"I don't have a problem with LaVar Ball," Van Gundy added. "He's a grown man. He can voice whatever opinion he wants. I got a problem with ESPN deciding that's a story."
The sports media giant has taken a fair degree of heat over Jeff Goodman's story that quoted Ball saying Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton had lost his locker room - including son Lonzo.
"I don't think there’s anything wrong with (the media) criticizing coaches," Van Gundy added. "You guys cover the team. You’re paid in part to analyze what’s going on. I’ve never had an issue with anybody’s who’s criticized me."
Van Gundy's brother Jeff calls games as an analyst for ESPN/ABC.