When it comes to Jeff Van Gundy’s recent complaints that religion has distracted some of the Knicks in preparing for games, NBA commissioner David Stern chose not to deliver a sermon on the topic yesterday.
“On the subject of religion, I’m guided by Mr. Van Gundy who said that it shouldn’t be discussed and I hereby except his suggestion,” Stern said, followed by a slight laugh.
But when it comes to Van Gundy’s other main objection, that competition is compromised when the Knicks and opponents socialize before and after games, Stern disagreed.
“Our players are very much co-travelers in an important endeavor and the notion that they’re not going to be friends off the court, I think, to me, tends to be dehumanizing,” Stern said. “I’ve seen some very good friends go at each other in athletic competition because that’s what it is.”