In 2007, Van Gundy took over as coach of the Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard, 22 at the time, was on that roster. So were Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, a pair of versatile forwards, Jameer Nelson, a smart, steady hand at point guard, and JJ Redick, who was coming off his rookie year.
Redick, who’s now 14th all-time in 3-pointers made, was still fighting for consistent minutes at that point his career. Under Van Gundy’s watch, he developed into a key rotation piece, while the Magic were able to make multiple deep playoff runs.
Redick has credited Van Gundy with helping him learn the fundamentals of team defense, and, more broadly, learning what it took to be successful at basketball’s highest level.
"Professionalism,” Redick said. “Accountability. Playing hard — the same way every game. Not taking any nights off. Because he lives that.”
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"I don’t know that I’ve ever been around any coach, and I’ve played for great coaches and play for a great coach right now, but I don’t know if I’ve ever been around any coach who holds himself so accountable,” Redick
said on his then-podcast, The Chronicles of Redick, in 2016.