Checked into a hotel in Wilmington, NC friday nite and in line to reception and there is Stan Van Gundy talking to Bill Asking him if he "seen Pat yet"? SVG was pretty chill, long baggy jeans funky sandals with a relaxed smile. Told my wife that who he was and was bringing in 4mil a year, even when fired! She thought I was in the wrong line of work. I told her she was right.
Bill was standing right behind me on line and I said hello and told him I enjoyed his play in NYC and was happy he got to win in Chicago even though it was at our expense. He was very gracious and was interested in why I was in town and what I was doing asking me questions.
THere was a coaches clinic for two days in town and many coach's were there. Bill (who was last on the Suns staff) is currently not with a team said it was a good way of "staying connected".
Saw him Saturday nite as I was pulling in to park and he was enjoying a cigar outside. He complimented my car and asked what year it was, and if I had a nice evening.
We talked a bit and had to ask: Knicks or Nets? He was diplomatic and would not say, but said "knicks cause they have the two allstars". I did not ask if was just saying cuz he knew previously I was a knick fan. I called him out on his diplomacy and wished him good luck in what ever comes next.
His voice is still very course from his crushed larynx he got when he played.
9/24/2012 10:59 AM
