Rockets Jeff Van Gundy says Jordan’s style wouldn’t work today

Van Gundy explains why Jordan’s style wouldn’t work

The former Houston Rockets coach was on The Sean Salisbury Show earlier in the week, which airs on SportsTalk 790, and had the below to say:

“First of all, today it wouldn’t be accepted. Either by the media that covers it, or by the other players. It would be in many ways termed harassment or bullying, whatever you term may be. The leadership style of Jordan or Kobe Bryant, you have to have incredible talent. Not just any player, not even a good player could get away with that.

You have to be Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, to be able to have that type of leadership style. I think what’s more acceptable today, to players and the media, is more of the Steve Nash, Tim Duncan leadership style of grab a guy, hug him, pat him on the back, encouragement model.

Jordan’s model was not encouraging, it was driving and seeing if you could withstand the mental heat that he would bring on an everyday basis. You have to be so exceptional as a player to have that type of leadership style. But I just don’t see it ever coming back into vogue and I don’t think it would be accepted into today’s game.”

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