Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith dives into Dwight Howard-Stan Van Gundy controversy – NBA Update
The Orlando Magic were rocked earlier in the weak after some sensational claims by head coach Stan Van Gundy. Gundy, speaking to reporters just hours before a game against the New York Knicks, accused franchise player Dwight Howard of wanting to get him
fired, and of having approached the senior management to this end.
Van Gundy’s claims caught Howard by complete surprise and the player was shocked to say the least. He had a terrible game afterwards and later denied any wrongdoing, saying he had never talked to anyone about removing Van Gundy, nor did he want that to happen.
Now the club’s General Manager Otis Smith has finally stepped in front of the press to shed light on the matter. The executive seems to have backed Howard’s account, saying that “Superman” never asked him to remove Stan Van Gundy.
"He never asked me; I didn't have that knowledge," Smith said.
Smith also went on to clarify that he wouldn’t take sides in the feud, saying that his policy and that of the club was principled, and the blame should lie on whoever was the culprit.
Otis remarked that had Howard actually come to him with such a request, he would have been held accountable. He also said he did not approve of the way Van Gundy handled the situation.
"If he did ask he's wrong, and for Stan to address it in public, that is wrong,"
The debate now is whether Stan Van Gundy will last the season in charge of the Magic. It is also seen an almost foregone conclusion by most pundits that he would be relieved at the end of the current NBA season. Otis, while claiming that Stan would stay
in charge until his contract runs out, was coy to comment on next season.
"Don't have the answer for that," Smith said. "I don't have the answer to who's going to be on our roster, either."
Howard for his part has been ruffled by the chain of events. He was initially caught completely unaware by his coach’s antics. He has though now regained his focus and helped his team to an important win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
That though did not stop some analysts, Charles Barkley among them, of questioning Howard’s poor showing in the game against New York Knicks. The player has though made clear that he will not turn his back on his team, no matter what.
"But I want everyone to know I've never quit on my team," Howard said. "(I) know I've had some bad games, (but) I'll never quit on my team. Everybody needs to know that."
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