ORLANDO – Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford isn’t too proud to admit that much of what he knows about the NBA and coaching at the game’s highest level has come from what he calls ``The Van Gundy School.’’
Clifford, now a 19-year veteran in the NBA, got his start in the NBA, first as an advanced scout and a year later as an assistant coach while working for the New York Knicks under the recommendation of the former head there, Jeff Van Gundy. Clifford then went to Houston with Van Gundy, serving under him as an assistant coach (2003-07).