Time to Make a Stand for Stan

Van Gundy (left), Dwight Howard (right)/AP Images

Matt makes a stand for Orlando Magic's head coach, Stan Van Gundy.


By Matt Rose


This is all I have to say about my assigned blog topic, the NBA Atlantic: The Sixers are slumping, the Celtics are surging, the Knicks are confusing, and the Nets and Wizards are still sucking. What is much more interesting and in need of coverage is the Orlando Magic.

As the trade deadline approached, reports surfaced that the Magic granted Dwight Howard permission to determine the fate of Head Coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith. While the reports were originally widely denied, Van Gundy confirmed today that Howard has asked for him to be fired multiple times. Here is the awkward interview where Van Gundy confirms the reports are true, unbeknownst to Howard.

While Dwight Howard is among the most talented, likeable players in the NBA, he is also one of the most immature. He has clashed with Van Gundy for years because Van Gundy does not coddle Howard like most coaches do with their star players. Take Mike Woodson, for example. Immediately after being named Interim Coach of the Knicks he said it was Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire’s team. Unfortunately, the Mike Woodson’s of the NBA typically prevail in these disputes because star players get what they want. It is not at all uncommon for a star to have a vote in coaching decisions, but I have a question for Dwight and the Magic brass: who could do a better job than Stan Van Gundy?

The only possible answer is Phil Jackson; however, I find it highly unlikely that the Magic’s pitiful roster entices Phil back into coaching, which is even more reason that Stan Van Gundy is an amazing coach. Remove Dwight Howard and the Magic are a top-five lottery team that would struggle against the Bobcats. Sure, Ryan Anderson has emerged to be a solid player this season, but outside of him and Howard they have a veteran roster of overpaid and underperforming players: JJ Reddick, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Hedo Turkalo, Quinton Richardson. Stan Van Gundy should be up for coach of the year with the Magic in fifth place in the East at 32-22 and that roster.

Van Gundy has amassed a career record of 366-201, a winning percentage of .646%- sixth highest of all time. He ranks one spot below Red Auerbach, and is ahead of greats such as Pat Reilly, Rick Adelman, and Jerry Sloan. In 2008-2009 he led the Magic to their first NBA Finals since 1995, and followed that success with a Conference Finals birth in 2009-2010. Many argue that Dwight Howard is the reason the Magic have survived with minimal talent; however, Van Gundy’s role cannot be overlooked. He has held the Magic together in the midst of the incessant trade rumors surrounding Dwight Howard.

Ultimately, the Magic must handle the Howard-Van Gundy saga with care. If they chose to submit to Dwight’s demands, their next coach will inevitably be a lame duck. In order to avoid the same fate Van Gundy faces and keep Dwight happy, he must cater to Dwight’s every wish. The Magic will be left with a coach who will not get the most out of his players—as Van Gundy does—and a coach who allows Howard to be both lazy and undisciplined.

The NBA is a business; owners must fill seats, and the best way to do so is with a star like Dwight Howard. Unfortunately, a star cannot always carry a team alone (see LeBron James on the Cavs), and the Magic’s record will suffer without Stan Van Gundy as their coach. In turn, fans will stop turning out, regardless of Dwight Howard’s presence.

If Dwight Howard successfully forces out Stan Van Gundy, it will be another sad example of how stars are running the league. By conceding to Howard, the Magic are choosing a Hall of Fame player over a Hall of Fame coach that simply strives to get the most out of his star player. By firing one of the few coaches that refuses to worship and coddle a star player, the Magic set a dangerous precedent. There are plenty of players in the Hall of Fame without a ring—Reggie Miller was just voted in this week. There are few coaches in there without a ring. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Van Gundy to win a Finals ring before Howard does, but one things for certain today: they will never win one together.