ABSTRACT:
“People I respect have the utmost respect for (Holzman) and he was always there to give a kind word when we were struggling.” Jeff Van Gundy
Jeff Van Gundy was one of the first to arrive at Red Holzman’s funeral.
This was last November 15, at Parkside Funeral home on Queens Blvd. in Rego Park. In his usual unassuming way, Van Gundy was sitting in the back pew, well behind Bill Bradley and Willis Reed and Earl Monroe. Phil Jackson didn’t make it.
Since becoming the Knicks’ coach in March, 1996, Van Gundy had always received strong support from Holzman, whether with an encouraging phone call or a drop-by visit to his office.
Now at the funeral on Queens Blvd., it was Van Gundy’s turn to pay respects to the greatest Knicks coach of all time…..
“One thing about Red, he had all sort of experiences. He had great times here winning championships. He had tough times when he came back later, didn’t have as good of teams. He knows the ups and downs, the good times and the bad times. He’s a great influence on the organization.”