Stan Van Gundy just called himself out.
One day after LeBron James criticized Knicks President Phil Jackson for using the term “posse” in an interview to describe James’ black friends and business associates, the Detroit Pistons head coach told reporters that there was a time when he also used the word.
“Have I ever used that word before with a white player?” Van Gundy asked himself on Wednesday before the Pistons took on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“The answer is no,” Van Gundy said. “I think, look, you have to be aware of the language and you have to be aware a little bit of your own biases if you’re going to overcome them. I took that seriously.”
Van Gundy added that he understands “why it’s offensive” and stressed the importance of self-reflection.
“I’ve never used that word publicly with anybody but I have used it in just talking to people I know and things like that,” he said. “It has never been in conjunction with a white player. So I think at a time where you’re going to call out other people on attitudes you need to be willing to look in the mirror and call yourself out.”
Van Gundy also made headlines last week when he expressed his disgust with the election of Donald Trump, telling the Detroit Free Press that “I don’t think anybody can deny this guy is openly and brazenly racist and misogynist.”
New York Times contributor Mike Vorkunov shared a transcript of Van Gundy’s most recent statement.
