[ILoveBismackBiyomboParticipant]

Magic fire Van Gundy, GM Smith

Coach Stan Van Gundy was relieved of his duties after five seasons that included an Eastern Conference title.

 

 

Where do the Magic go from here?……and I hope Van Gundy coaches next year in a good situation…..he’s a good coach. Not his fault Orlando’s roster was horrible……thank Smith for giving Lewis, Richardson, and Reddick ridiculous contracts.

[PeterCalParticipant]

I’d like to see Van Gundy with the Clippers. Personally I don’t think Del Negro is a very good coach. He got a lot of credit this year thanks to Paul and Butler coming on board…….plus he got his a$$ handed to him by Popovich. I think they could hae been a bit more competetive.

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

There’s gonna be a lot of phone calls from teams needing a coach. As for GM, not so much.

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

Van Gundy was a good coach and had to deal with a horrible situation in Orlando.  I don’t think he’ll feel too bad about this firing, because someone will come calling with a job opening soon.  Otis Smith should be ashamed because he let that Dwight Howard fiasco go on so long.

[paint intruderParticipant]

The Magic should look to stack up their roster and try to lure Carlisle away from the Mavs. He already won a championship with a great defensive center and a great shooting PF.

[CAROLINA BLUE NICKParticipant]

Yea Van Gundy was a good coach. I could see him going to the Clippers. But I remember earlier in the year the Magic gave Dwight the option to choose the coach and GM of the Magic if he were to resign, now that SVG and Smith are gone, does this mean Dwight will be staying with the Magic past 2013 or no?

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

What a terrible GM, he’s really the only one who deserved to be gone. SVG didn’t deserve to be fired, but obviously if Dwight wanted him gone, then it’s Dwight’s loss. SVG to the Clippers, provided they fire Del Negro (who really has no business being a head coach; an assistant maybe, but not a head), would be a great fit. I could also see Portland and Charlotte calling him as well.

On a related note, now that D12 got everything he wanted, it’s time for him to nut up or shut up. I’d argue he personally will be under the most pressure of any single player or coach in the NBA next year.

[bloodshyParticipant]

I expected these firings and I think they were absolutely the right move, regardless of what happens w/Dwight in Orlando.

Smith: Pathetic GM job for a long time.  He made Rashad the 2nd highest payed player in all of basketball.  Then, he traded that for Arenas, which ended up costing the Magic’s owner an additional $60M.  (Good thing the owner is a multi-billionaire).  Smith needed to be canned because the man is simply incompetent.

Van Gundy: Great basketball mind and I always liked him… until he decided to take team issues to the NYC media and out Dwight for his BS.  Yes, Dwight was a problem and he really did want Stan fired.  But, IMO, you don’t take your family’s business to the street.  I just don’t think that’s an appropriate move for a coach regardless of what the player does.  Talk to ownership or quit your job, but don’t damage the brand of your team, star, franchise, etc. by whining to the media.  I think Van Gundy can be successful elsewhere and I think he’s a good guy, but his PR methods in 2012 were unprofessional.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Otis Smith didnt do a bad Job a few years ago when they went to the Championship game..He added to right pieces around Howard to fit his style of play..And they were legitimate challengers to the title,despite having only 1 superstar….If Lewis or Arenas had played up to par,nobody will be complaining.

[truwizfan4evrParticipant]

 wizards should go after Stan van gundy. Help delvope wall game  they be pushing for playoff next season with Stan.

[TRC1991Participant]

Orlando should hire Kevin Pritchard as the GM

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I Wonder would Jeff take the Job if it was Offered to him? lol..

They might be looking for a guy that has been a long time assistant,someone that will be looking for his 1st head coaching job…

[Seamo15Participant]

 Does this set a prerequisite now for players unhappy with their teams management?I won’t go so far as to far as to fully blame Howard, but had he not shown throughout the season that he was no happy with staff I think Van Gundy and possibly Smith would still be there. The worrying factor is, if Dwight did influence this , will players begin thinking they have more entitlements than they do? Every new superstar will come into the league under the impression that they are soul orchestrator of the teams operations, that their word is law. I might be drawing a long bow on this but it just worries me. That and I don’t want a constant repeat of Dwight this year and Melodrama last year 

[DolanCareParticipant]

60% of being a coach is to keep the team united and focused. Yes, SVG is a great x’s and o’s guy who made a decent system with crap players. But he completely fractured his locker room out of sheer pride. I hope he plays the role more for his next sqaud, because he could get a team to win.

 

[aamir543Participant]

Kevin Pritchard is currently the assistant GM of the Pacers, he’s a really good GM, Portland was pretty stupid for letting him go, but some have said for years Larry has been looking for someone to take over basketball related duties and Pritchard is certainly capable, but he will definatly be a strong candidate if he wants the Orlando job.

[SubZeroParticipant]

3 teams that should be offering Stan: Portland, Washington, and Los Angeles. Portland may want their current coach to be the coach of the future, but he’s way too young right now and could benefit from learning under Van Gundy. Washington desperately needs someone who can control the youth of this team and help John Wall grow into the great player he can be. And Los Angeles, we all know Vinny Del Negro is not the answer. It would simply be an upgrade at the position, no other reasons necessary

[Author]

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