Ex-Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy to join ESPN as studio analyst

Ann Arbor — Stan Van Gundy is back in the NBA.

Van Gundy, who was the Pistons coach and team president for four years before being fired in May, will be joining ESPN as a studio analyst, he confirmed to The Detroit News on Friday. The New York Post first reported Van Gundy’s agreement with ESPN.

In his coaching career, Van Gundy had an often-contentious relationship with the network, including last season, when he threatened to pull back from some of his media obligations for a Pistons game on ESPN.

The kerfuffle started when ESPN.com had a story about LaVar Ball, father of point guard Lonzo Ball criticizing Lakers coach Luke Walton.

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“That was some cheap (bullcrap) — that’s what that was — against a professional,” Van Gundy said in January. “If that’s the way they want to do it, that’s good, but I’m not going to feel obligated to give them extra time and wear a mic and go out and to reporters.

“They can mic LaVar or one of my players’ parents and do a between-quarters interview if that’s the way they want to cover the game.”

Those issues seem to have smoothed over, as Van Gundy will have some duties in studio.

rod.beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard