Bring It To Jerome

Jeff Van Gundy may have lost his job with the Rockets, but the longtime NBA coach turned broadcaster, didn’t lose his affection for the City of Houston, despite having been here just four years when he was let go by the team in 2007. Funny, outspoken, and not afraid to challenge opinion – attributes that make him an outstanding television analyst – Van Gundy has a caring heart and a passion for giving, as shown in his work with Pro-Vision, a charter school started by NFL retiree Roynell Young. Van Gundy joined the Chronicle’ Hunter Atkins on the “Bring it to Jerome” episode and discussed a wide range of basketball topics, including the pain in getting fired by the Rockets, the greatness of James Harden, the genius of Mike D’Antoni, and the dominance Golden State Warriors. But he was most passionate about how he has been inspired by Young to help make a difference in young lives, and in his feeling for the people of Houston. “I could talk food, I could talk neighborhoods, I could talk schools,” Van Gundy said.