Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy on the crossroads – NBA Update
Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy (SVG) is standing on the crossroads after the Dwight Howard trade saga.
The often eccentric and verbose coach has to make a choice of walking away with grace or wait till the franchise fires him. One thing is clear that after the irreparable strife in relations between him and Magic’s Superman Howard
these two couldn’t stick together in the same team any longer.
Howard, has more than once in the past, expressed his displeasure at the loud coaching style of Van Gundy, which puts the team under unnecessary pressure. His relations with Van Gundy further detoriated during the final few weeks
of the trade window. It is understood that Otis Smith and Stan were on the same page and were fed up by the antics of the big man.
Van Gundy on his part, had indicated that he can accept a team with or without Howard, if the big man decides to leave the Magic in the mid season trade window. That apparently did not go well with Howard, according to sources
close to the situation.
Obviously, the Magic cannot let Howard slip out of their hands and they had even offered him (rumour) to bring in a GM and head coach of his own choice just to make him stay.
Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld summarized the scenario.
“A growing number of people within the organization believe that Van Gundy will quit after the season, mainly because he doesn’t want to go through the Howard circus again next season”.
“Sources close to the situation say that Van Gundy was ready for the organization to move Howard at the trade deadline so that the franchise could move on and once again focus on winning games. He’s not interested in going through
that drama again next season”. Said Kennedy.
Orlando’s world revolves around Howard and they will go to any length to appease him, even hiring a coach of his choice. It has been learnt that Superman has presented the front office with a list of coaches he would like to play
with.
SVG however will not be marooned after leaving the franchise; he is a valued coach with a shining career and it wouldn’t be long before teams like New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers put up a cheesy offer to get him on
board.
The 52 years old started his professional coaching career with Miami Heat in 1995. He left them in 2007 for Magic and after having a long journey he is on the crossroads yet again. The best possible solution for him will be to
walk out with grace and resign from his position.
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