Jeff Van Gundy: Shut Up and Quit Hurting the Bulls' Chances To Get LeBron

I don't know what the Chicago Bulls ever did to Jeff Van Gundy, but the former coach and current ESPN blabbermouth should stop saying things that will hurt their chances to land a good coach and, more importantly, the big prize in free agency.

LeBron James wants the money and the glory, of course, but he also wants to go where he has the best chance to win that elusive title.

Meanwhile, Van Gundy's rambling may hurt the Bulls chances to project themselves as contenders to land James.

"Any team that gets him along with Derrick Rose and [Joakim] Noah, you're going to have a good team," Van Gundy told ESPNChicago.com before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Then comes the dagger.

"...but I would not think they would be a championship-caliber team right away."

He did go on to say "But I think they'll be a top-3 or -4 team." Still, all the headline screams is that the Bulls need more than James.

Well, duh! But that's also true of any team, not just the Bulls and that's why I have a problem with Van Gundy.

In the end, he may be right, he may be wrong about the Bulls. It's an opinion and we all know that opinions are like sewers—every town has one and they're usually full of crap.

But if James respects Van Gundy's opinion, he may hear this and it could negatively affect his decision to come to Chicago.

That's crazy, you say? Don't underestimate the power of the media. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword.

But even if it makes no difference, why is Van Gundy making these kind of statements about just the Bulls? Why not say that the logic also applies to the Knicks?

Perhaps because he wants to coach LeBron, but doesn't want the location to be Chicago? Just sayin'... 

Look, I don't necessarily disagree with his statement. In fact, it's stating the obvious.

There are simply no guarantees in sports and we all understand that. I just wish that he didn't single out the Bulls.

Is he implying that the Knicks are guaranteed winners if they sign LeBron?

Does Van Gundy believe if the Cavs retain James that they are assured of going to the Finals next season?

If not, then make a general statement about any team signing James and leave the Bulls out of it.

But as an ex-coach, Van Gundy seems to have been disturbed by the Bulls firing of Vinny Del Negro and he's letting that cloud his judgement.

Remember what he had to say after the Bulls decision to part ways with Del Negro.

"From midseason on, I don't think Vinny got much support from their organization," said Van Gundy. "Vinny did a very, very good job with that team.

"They gave up their two best wing scorers...and then Vinny's the scapegoat for it. (It's a) hard thing to understand."

So that has motivated Van Gundy to rip the Bulls chances of winning a title with James?

Hey, I happen to think that with LeBron joining Rose and Noah with enough money left over to sign another very good player (though not a max contract), one would certainly have to consider the Bulls the top contender in the East.

Is that a guarantee? Again, of course not. But even if the Knicks, the Clippers, the Nets or anyone else sign LeBron, the same is true.

I believe in free speech, but the power of the media is something that needs to be used judiciously.

Jeff Van Gundy has the right to his opinion and so do I. And my opinion is that he can shut up and go away.