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"The Stache" Likes the Spurs


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USA Today Sports

February 27, 2013, 7:58 pm

Stan Van Gundy was one of the top coaches in the NBA during his time with the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat and now he is one of the greatest NBA analysts out there.  He joined Chad on Flight 750 Wednesday to talk some Blazers and some NBA.

Van Gundy insists that Lebron has improved his game immensely since last year’s championship season and that he has reached the point where there are no real holes in his game.

“I can’t find any.  Sort of the last frontier I guess for Lebron is the free throw shooting, which can really go up and down.  But over this 12-game winning streak, he’s even shooting over 80% at the free throw line.  So if he goes up and is consistent at the free throw line, there’s really nothing else."

Van Gundy also talk about Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.  Although he is a great player, Van Gundy says there is one real, glaring weakness in his game.

“I think where he really needs to improve and it’s probably true of Portland’s entire team is on the defensive end of the floor.  They’re one of the bottom six or seven teams in the league defensively…That’s where I would say that LaMarcus needs to improve is at the defensive end – Both in the post and on the perimeter.”

And finally Van Gundy previewed the playoffs.  Although most people seem to think the Heat will repeat as NBA champs, Van Gundy says to pay attention to the Spurs.

“San Antonio has changed.  They have gone back to their championship formula, which was not only to be a great offensive team, which they are, but also to be a great defensively.  In the five years since they have won a championship, their defense declined every year.  Going into last year, they were only 11th in the league defensively. Now they’re back in the top three.  They’re back to the formula that has won them championships.  It’s why they have the best home record in the league, the best road record in the league and right now, they are the best team in the NBA hands down.”

Take a listen to the interview and be sure to check out Van Gundy's great work with NBC Sports.  He really is one of the smartest basketball minds we have ever had on our show.