Marcin Gortat warns new Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy of dealing with LaVar Ball

Stan Van Gundy will have plenty of regular pressures that come along with being an NBA coach but will also have to deal with LaVar Ball.

The conversation surrounding Lonzo Ball anytime he plays under a new coach centers on his father and how he will react. Given LaVar Ball’s outspoken nature, his opinion on head coaches will be known, regardless if they’re desired or not.

LaVar was not a fan of Luke Walton during Lonzo’s time in Los Angeles and was very public about his displeasure. After some rough patches at the start of Lonzo’s time in New Orleans, LaVar largely remained quiet about Alvin Gentry’s handling of his eldest son.

At this point, though, LaVar’s reputation precedes him and it is something those around the NBA are aware of, including Marcin Gortat. The former center for the Magic, Suns, Wizards and Clippers played under new Pelicans head coach in Orlando to start his career.

In a reply to an article tweeted out by Hoops Hype about Van Gundy’s hiring, Gortat replied with a (likely playful) jab at LaVar.

While it’s a talking point for fans, Lonzo has been able to not allow his father’s talking affect him or his relationship with teammates. That has been put to the test at times, including when LaVar referred to his teammates in Los Angeles as “raggedy” at one point during his tenure with the Lakers.

Interestingly, Van Gundy does have some history related to LaVar. When spoke about then Lakers head coach Walton losing the locker room with seemingly no basis for the accusation, many coaches raced to Walton’s defense with Van Gundy among those. While he did not criticize Ball, Van Gundy did criticize ESPN for running his comments and threatened a boycott of the company.

“I’m not meeting with their announcing crew before the game, I’m not doing the in-game interview. I’m not going to participate in the thing.”

Even more interesting is that, prior to that event, Van Gundy actually defended LaVar to the media, calling him an ‘above average parent.’

“With the parenting problems we have in a lot of America today, really? That’s the worst it gets? LaVar Ball? I would say he’s far above average.”

For all the talk and focus LaVar’s antics get, they rarely, if ever, amount to anything of note. But for a coach that has been as outspoken in the past as Van Gundy has been, it could lead to a public relations battle at times.

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