Orlando Magic’s Pat Williams insists Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy can both stay – NBA Update
Orlando Magic’s senior vice president Pat Williams has waded into the ongoing debate regarding super star Dwight Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy. While most analysts are predicting last week’s incident to be the start of the end for at least one’s time at
the Magic, Williams is of the view that both can still co-exist.
Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy shook the organization, and the entire NBA, last week when he claimed his centre Dwight Howard wanted him out of the franchise. Van Gundy went on to state that Howard had approached the executive branch of the club to this
end.
Van Gundy is known for his outspoken style but this outburst, especially the allegations made against Dwight, was brash even for his standards. “Superman” was completely caught off guard by Van Gundy’s assault, and did not know how to react immediately.
It did not help matters that Van Gundy’s statement came just hours before the Magic took on the New York Knicks, a game they eventually lost and in which the visibly perturbed Howard did not play well.
Afterwards Howard clarified that he did not want Van Gundy out, and it did not make sense of him to demand this of anyone at this time in the season, categorically denying allegations that he had asked higher ups to replace Van Gundy.
The coach and player have since gotten on with business, despite the media fracas surrounded their every move. Pat Williams believes that they can silence the rumour mill and ease nerves inside the franchise only of they start winning and get a good run
going in the post season.
"Finish well and then have a wonderful run in the playoffs -- that would probably cure most of the issues," Williams told The Associated Press.
Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith recently clarified that he had not been approached by Howard for the removal of current coach, whose contract runs out in the summer. He was however reluctant to commit on whether Van Gundy would be in the Magic hot
seat come next season.
Media speculation since then has intensified, with many suggesting that Van Gundy is surely on his way out. Williams however does not agree with that notion, claiming that he would like to see both Van Gundy and Howard at the franchise for years to come,
and noting that Stan is indeed a very accomplished coach.
"I don't know that you can find a better NBA coach than Stan Van Gundy out there," Williams said.
He said instead of taking the whole saga in a negative light, the players and coaching staff should use it to mend fences, regroup and move forward with more vigour than before.
"I think this shook them both up -- that's my opinion," Williams said of the incident last week. "I think they're going to be better for it."
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