In the world of NBA coaching, Stan Van Gundy's tenure is marked by a memorable 2008-09 season when he guided the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals. Facing two of the game's titans, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, Van Gundy's strategic prowess was put to the test.
During that playoff run, Van Gundy's Magic overcame James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the challenge intensified against Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Reflecting on these encounters, Van Gundy shared insights on who posed the greater challenge during an appearance on Run It Back on FanDuel TV.
“Kobe was tougher because he had more support,” Van Gundy explained. “With Pau Gasol and a strong team around him, Kobe was a formidable force.
LeBron, on the other hand, was the backbone of his team in Cleveland. Apart from LeBron, the player who troubled us most was Wally Szczerbiak.
No disrespect to him, but he wasn’t Pau Gasol. LeBron had to shoulder a lot more.”
Bryant's Lakers boasted a robust lineup. Gasol was an All-Star and a key frontcourt presence alongside Andrew Bynum, one of the league's rising centers. Lamar Odom added depth, vying for Sixth Man of the Year honors.
Conversely, James' Cavaliers lacked such depth. Mo Williams made his sole All-Star appearance in 2009, more by circumstance than dominance. James was surrounded by solid defenders but bore the offensive load almost single-handedly.
“LeBron had an exceptional series against us,” Van Gundy recalled. “He averaged 36 points, likely his highest in a playoff series. Our strategy was to let him score but limit his playmaking for others.”
Van Gundy’s plan involved Hedo Turkoglu and others defending James one-on-one, avoiding fouls, and living with the results of his jump shots. It worked.
James posted impressive stats-38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists-but his support faltered. Williams averaged 18.3 points but struggled with a 37.1% shooting rate.
The Magic thrived from beyond the arc, shooting 40.8% from three-point range, and dispatched the Cavaliers in six games. However, the Finals against the Lakers posed a new challenge.
Bryant, with his dynamic play and solid support, averaged 32.4 points, earning Finals MVP honors. Gasol contributed significantly, scoring 18.6 points per game on 60% shooting.
Van Gundy noted the difficulty of strategizing against a team with multiple threats. The Lakers’ depth outmatched the Cavaliers’, illustrating the challenge of containing a well-rounded squad.
That season marked Van Gundy’s closest brush with an NBA title. Though he continued coaching for several more seasons, he never returned to the Finals stage.