Orlando Magic Head Coach, Stan Van Gundy: “Dwight Howard Wants Me Fired”
![Orlando Magic Head Coach, Stan Van Gundy: “Dwight Howard Wants Me Fired” Orlando Magic Head Coach, Stan Van Gundy: “Dwight Howard Wants Me Fired”](http://rantsports.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/courtcrusades/files/2012/04/uspw_5813088-e1333647327459.jpg)
Orlando Magic Head Coach, Stan Van Gundy confirmed what reports have been saying for a bit, star center Dwight Howard wants Van Gundy Out!
From Josh Robbins at the Sentinel:
“I know he has [asked that I be fired],” Van Gundy told reporters after the Magic completed their shootaround. “That’s just the way it is. Again, I’ve been dealing with that all year. It’s not anything real bothersome. You go out and do your job.” [...]
Asked how he knows it’s true, Van Gundy said, “I was told it was true by people in our management right from the top.”
You got to feel bad for Van Gundy here. he has stuck by his star center through thick and thin and he has been completely disrespected and lied to by Howard.
His backstabbing was even more obvious when just minutes after Van Gundy himself confirmed the reports, Howard came over and gave Van Gundy a hug not knowing he had just confirmed the reports. How awkward is that?
After what has to be the most awkward hug in history, the reporters asked Howard questions regarding the allegations, to which Howard argued and denied it and even went as far as demanded to know their source. Little did he know, the source was standing right next to him.
Howard, reportedly responded, “What did I just say yesterday? I know you guys watch ESPN.”
Howard later said: “Whatever happens at the end of the season is not under my control. I am a player for the Magic. I am not the GM. I am not [team owner] Rich DeVos. I am not [CEO] Alex Martins. So that’s not my job. So you guys should stop with every other week it’s trying to find something, because there’s nothing. There’s nothing. I haven’t said anything to anybody about anything. Our main concern is winning. So all the other stuff should stop.”
Howard, the jig is up. You lied to everyone and have all season. I just don’t get why. You are one the NBA’s biggest superstars and had everything but you got greedy. You held an entire franchise up with your, “I’m going! Oh wait, I’m staying!” I have lost total respect for you and you should be ashamed of yourself.
The situation in Orlando is not Stan Van Gundy’s fault. How are you supposed to get a team motivated when the team leader and best player, doesn’t want to be there and lies to everyone about his intentions.
Van Gundy though, has stayed a team player even now.
When asked if it will be hard to coach Howard and the team if he thinks Howard is not committed to him, Van Gundy said, “It’s not a matter of being committed to me. It’s a matter of being committed to the team and trying to do everything you can to help the team win games. That’s all I’m concerned with. As far as the other stuff, I don’t think that matters. I don’t need love and support here at my job. I’ll turn to my family for that. I don’t need these guys giving me hugs and pats on the back.”
Stan, you are a stand up guy. Dwight, I think you should take a few lessons from your coach. Oh wait, isn’t that what players are supposed to do with their coaches?