Jeff Van Gundy : On Thursday night, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy received backlash on social media for a remark he made regarding Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Booker missed a jumper with 3:32 left in the third quarter, but followed his attempt and placed the ball back in the hoop to put the Suns back up 10 points over the Bucks.
The former NBA coach made an interesting statement in response to the brilliant play.
“He’s got a bit of a swagger to him. He may appear to be a choir boy, but his playing style is that of a hoodlum “According to Van Gundy.
Booker’s mother is Mexican-American and Puerto Rican, and his father is an African-American former NBA player.
Mark Jackson, one of his co-hosts, laughed at the remark.
Ryan Clark, a current ESPN NFL commentator, as well as many other Twitter users, picked up on the remark. The comment was “definitely code,” according to the former NFL defensive back.
JEFF VAN GUNDY, EX-NBA COACH: ‘I’M SICK OF THE SISSIFICATION OF THE GAME.’
“D Book was simply referred to as “light skinned” by Van Gundy. ‘He has the appearance of a Choir boy.’ That was most definitely code “Clark sent out a tweet. Others also added their two cents. On Friday, ESPN declined to comment.
Van Gundy has been chastised in the past for controversial remarks. The most recent occurred during the Suns’ Western Conference Finals matchup with the Clippers.
With more over 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Clippers star Paul George was slapped in the face by Suns forward Jae Crowder. George appeared to be in discomfort after being smacked across the face.
The game was delayed while the referees considered whether Crowder should be charged with a flagrant foul.
Van Gundy, a prominent ESPN analyst, firmly disputed that it was a flagrant violation and went on a diatribe about it.
“I’m fed up with the game’s sissification. That isn’t a flagrant violation. He objected. He threw him down. Make both of your free throws, “According to Van Gundy.
The Suns had a one-game lead in the series against the Clippers and a two-game lead in the series against the Bucks going into Thursday’s game.
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