Jeff Van Gundy calls Hornets assistant coach Blaine Mueller ‘extraordinary’

Towards the end of the NBA season, ESPN’s Zach Lowe invited former NBA commentator and current LA Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy to appear on the Lowe Post podcast. Van Gundy spent last season with the Boston Celtics as a “Senior Consultant,” working with both the Maine (G-League) and Boston staffs.

Last season, Van Gundy spent a lot of time with Maine Celtics head coach Blaine Mueller, who joined the Charlotte Hornets as an assistant to Charles Lee. Van Gundy had only positive things to say about the new Hornets assistant coach,

“Blaine Mueller, who will join Charles Lee on his staff in Charlotte. He’s done a tremendous job. I loved talking to him about what I’ve seen. He’s done a tremendous job of improving not only the guys that were drafted and the two-way guys. He’s helped, as has his staff, the other guys that have filled in. They’re going to have much more productive careers because of the way he’s helped them.”

– Jeff Van Gundy via The Lowe Post Podcast

Mueller coached under Charles Lee in Milwaukee as an assistant before joining the Maine Celtics to gain head coaching experience last season. Van Gundy’s praise suggests Mueller could be a key addition to the Hornets’ new coaching staff.

The influence of Mueller’s experience has already paid off for Charlotte. Summer League players James Banks and Brandon Slater were former Maine Celtics players who formed a relationship with Mueller that led them to Charlotte. Both contributed to Charlotte’s impressive 7-1 Summer League record.

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