NBA fans have come to expect some odd remarks from Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson during NBA Finals broadcasts. It’s gotten to the point where the commentary has turned into a meme.
But during Sunday’s Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Van Gundy couldn’t help but speak out against his longtime enemy … hugs. The man simply hates seeing basketball players hug each other.
After Heat forward Kevin Love missed a wide-open Gabe Vincent in the first half, Love caught up with Vincent to apologize. And as a show of support, Love shared a hug with Vincent. It could have been seen as a cool display of leadership and togetherness, but not for Van Gundy. He really went on a rant to criticize the hug.
Aye with all due respect in my Mark Jackson voice, why is Jeff Van Gundy hating on Kevin Love and Gab Vincent 😂. Let the brothers show each other love lmao. Heat vs Nuggets #HEATCulture #BringItIn #jamalmurray pic.twitter.com/K5ywLsCi2o
— Ball Room Service🏀 (@ballroomservice) June 5, 2023
This isn’t the first time Van Gundy has taken issue with hugs either. Back in 2018, he said that there aren’t true rivalries in the NBA anymore because players are so quick to exchange jerseys and hug each other after games.
“I wish there was a little bit more contact because I think contact would bring more conflict. What we’re missing is conflict. People exchanging jerseys after games, the unending hugs. It’s hard to find a true, nasty rivalry.” – Jeff Van Gundy
Woj Pod: https://t.co/uFYHZH6HmC pic.twitter.com/cCsVBJQu4K
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 22, 2018
He also didn’t like seeing players violate the no-hug policy amid the 2021 season’s COVID protocols.
Hugs all around after KD's first game back in the Bay Area 🤝 pic.twitter.com/qxuhy2A1KE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 14, 2021
Again, Van Gundy hates hugs. And NBA fans mocked how vocally anti-hug Van Gundy was in Game 2.
This was how Twitter reacted
jeff van gundy seeing two teammates hug each other pic.twitter.com/iP1nW8v8ON
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) June 5, 2023
I think we know which Van Gundy was hugged more growing up.
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) June 5, 2023
Kinda classless of Van Gundy for making fun of K Love for giving Gabe Vincent a hug to motivate him ngl
— Chris Santiago (@ChrisSant1104) June 5, 2023
"Jeff Van Gundy v. Hugs" is a weird feud.
— Divinevert (@Divine_Vert) June 5, 2023
Jeff Van Gundy HATES hugs
— Hood Pass Cody Rhodes (@NotBrockJahnke) June 5, 2023
the simplest human emotions anger Jeff van Gundy. he just got angry at two teammates hugging a misunderstanding out. he’s like a hyper literal alien who crash landed here and has to endure our strange human culture because he likes basketball too much to leave
— the thicc husband & father (@lukeisamazing) June 5, 2023
Is Jeff Van Gundy against players hugging each other??
— Leo Ruggiero 🏜 (@ruggiero15_leo) June 5, 2023
why is van gundy so hurt by kevin love hugging his teammate lol
— Elizabeth 💞🌸 (@elliebear___) June 5, 2023
thank you to jeff van gundy for coming out strong against hugging. representation for all of us dour emotionally unavailable men
— Nathan Bernhardt (@jonbernhardt) June 5, 2023
