After finishing the 2011-12 NBA season with a 37-29 record and third in the Southeast Division, the Orlando Magic hope to succeed during the 2012-13 regular season with Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, and possibly Dwight Howard. This season, the Magic have six nationally-televised games, including four games on NBATV and two on ESPN.
As expected, the Orlando Magic fired head coach Stan Van Gundy today, along with general manager Otis Smith.
The firing put and end to what became a season of drama in Orlando involving Van Gundy and all-star center Dwight Howard.
In firing Van Gundy, the Magic have parted ways with possibly their best coach in franchise history.
Van Gundy posted a 259-135 regular season record in five seasons with Orlando, making the playoffs all five seasons, including three Southeast Division titles and a 2009 Eastern Conference championship.
Since the 2007-08 season, Van Gundy posted the fourth highest winning percentage in the NBA (.657), behind only the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs.
That means he can coach and will likely be doing so again soon.
Here’s a look at the likely landing spots for Van Gundy as the offseason nears.
ORLANDO, FL — Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins announced today that Stan Van Gundy has been relieved of his duties as head coach. In addition President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Otis Smith and the organization have mutually agreed to part ways.
“On behalf of the DeVos Family, we sincerely appreciate and thank Otis and Stan for all that they have done on and off the floor for the Orlando Magic, said Martins. “These are the days you dread in this business, but we feel it’s time for new leadership and new voices.
“They both brought die-hard dedication and an unmatched work ethic on a daily basis, added Martins. Their success is well documented, as the Orlando Magic has had the fourth best record in the NBA over the last five years, and entering the playoffs this year the third most playoff wins over that period of time. The disappointment of getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs these past two seasons played a primary role in our decision, as we feel our momentum towards winning a championship has paused. We wish Otis and Stan all the best and we look forward to taking the next step towards winning that championship.”
Van Gundy was named head coach on June 7, 2007, becoming the ninth head coach in franchise history.
Van Gundy has a career NBA head coaching regular season record of 371-208 (.641), including 259-135 (.657) in five seasons in Orlando. He led Orlando to five postseason berths, three Southeast Division titles and the 2009 Eastern Conference crown. Prior to coming to Orlando he served as head coach of the Miami Heat for two-plus seasons.
In 2007-08, his first season in Orlando, Van Gundy guided the Magic to a 52-30 record and the Southeast Division Championship. It was the Magic’s first division crown since 1995-96. Orlando also advanced past the opening round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 1996, defeating Toronto 4-1.
During the 2008-09 campaign Van Gundy led the Magic to a 59-23 record and through a memorable playoff run, capped off with the 2009 Eastern Conference championship and a berth in the NBA Finals, marking the second trip in franchise history.
In 2009-10, Van Gundy directed the Magic to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year, after compiling a 59-23 record during the season.
Last season, 2010-11, Orlando finished 52-30 and made its fourth straight trip to the playoffs. It was Orlando’s fourth straight 50-win season and Van Gundy became the second-fastest active coach to 300 career wins and seventh-fastest all-time. He also coached his 500th career game and had the sixth-most wins in NBA history through 500 contests.
This past season, Orlando finished 37-29 (.561), good for sixth-best in the Eastern Conference. The Magic advanced to the postseason for the sixth consecutive time, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference.
Smith was promoted to president of basketball operations on July 28, 2010. Smith was named general manager on May 3, 2006. He was assistant general manager during the 2005-06 campaign, after serving as director of player development for two seasons.
Under Smiths leadership from 2005-06 to 2011-12, Orlando advance to the playoffs all six times, recorded 50-plus victories in a club-record four straight seasons (2007-08 to 2010-11), captured three consecutive Southeast Division titles (2007-10), advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in two straight postseasons (2009-10) and reached the 2009 NBA Finals after winning the Eastern Conference title. The Magic were 299-177 (.628) during Smiths tenure as general manager.
Smith was a member of the inaugural 1989-90 Magic squad and spent three seasons playing in Orlando (1989-92). Smith averaged 11.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 195 games with the Magic. He played in 375 career NBA regular season games with Denver, Golden State and Orlando, averaging 10.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 20.6 mining.
The Heat relied on their Big Three, and the Lakers leaned on their two bigs, as we learn from diving into the numbers…
Heat 93, Knicks 85
Miami snapped New York’s nine-game home win streak, thanks to a combined 73 points from the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
NEW YORK (AP) LeBron James had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 28 points and nine boards, and the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 93-85 on Sunday to clinch the Southeast Division title.
NEW YORK (AP) LeBron James had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 28 points and nine boards, and the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 93-85 on Sunday to clinch the Southeast Division title.
LeBron James had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 28 points and nine boards, and the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 93-85 on Sunday to clinch the Southeast Division title.
Chris Bosh finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, who pulled away in the fourth quarter of a possible playoff preview. Miami is second in the Eastern Conference and New York came into the game tied for seventh, although they fell back behind Philadelphia after the loss.
Carmelo Anthony scored 42 points for the Knicks, but had only two baskets in the fourth quarter, perhaps tired after playing 43 minutes. New York had its nine-game home winning streak snapped.
In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the last thing the Orlando Magic needed was all of the drama surrounding Dwight Howard’s alleged plea for the front office to fire head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Now, the only thing that will save the season is if the rest of the squad refuses to pay any mind to the controversy.
Prior to Saturday’s 88-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Magic were desperate to bounce back from five consecutive losses. The only story overshadowing Orlando’s sudden futility was which member of the front office had told Van Gundy that his superstar center wanted him fired.
Howard and Van Gundy could deny all they wanted, but the only way to truly change the course of the conversation was to start winning again. So that’s what the rest of the team focused on, following up Saturday night’s win with a 119-89 victory over Detroit two nights later.
Now, instead of thinking about whether the coach and the star can smooth things over enough to finish out the season on a high note, the Magic are refocusing on solidifying themselves as a factor in the playoffs.
Prior to Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, point guard Jameer Nelson was asked about the soap opera surrounding his team. He told HoopsHype.com’s Marc Narducci, “It was weird. There is nothing you can do about it.” Nelson added, “It’s done and over with. The rest of the guys have moved on.”
When asked whether or not the players felt compelled to choose sides between Howard and Van Gundy, Nelson told Narducci:
No, I am one of the leaders and captains of the team and it is not about me choosing sides. It’s about me leading the team. Whatever game plan Stan puts out, I have to help execute to the best of my ability with these guys.
At least someone on the team has the leadership qualities necessary to win.
Nelson’s point of view is the one Van Gundy and Howard should have reflected during last week’s meltdown. Was it appropriate for Van Gundy to bring up Howard’s alleged request during a press conference prior to a huge matchup against the Knicks? Of course not.
This is a team that currently sits in third place in the Southeast Division and sixth place in the Eastern Conference and can’t afford another five-game losing streak.
It can’t afford to be babbling about behind-the-scenes drama when it should be completely focused on picking up every win it can. If the Magic have any hope of making a run in this year’s postseason, they need to start acting and talking more like Nelson and less like Van Gundy and Howard.
There will be plenty of time in the offseason for speculation about the coaching carousel. For now, the only thing that matters is winning.
Howard may be the star, but Nelson is the leader. Howard, Van Gundy and the rest of the Magic would be wise to take their cues from him.
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When the 3-pointers are falling, the Orlando Magic are hard to beat. But when they aren’t – and when Orlando doesn’t take care of the basketball – coach Stan Van Gundy doesn’t like his team’s chances at all.
The Denver Nuggets struggled in both areas in their last game yet still found a way to win.
The Magic try to avoid a third straight loss Sunday against the visiting Nuggets, who are looking for a rare win in Orlando and their first back-to-back victories in nearly a month.
Orlando (32-20), third in the Eastern Conference, is unlikely to make up a six-game deficit to Miami in the Southeast Division race, but there is still plenty to play for in the final month with home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs on the line.
While the Magic have an advantage in the paint almost every night with Dwight Howard, the team relies heavily on its outside shooting. Led by Ryan Anderson, the league leader in 3-point attempts (353) and makes (147), Orlando leads the NBA in both categories by a wide margin.
There are no complaints when those shots are falling – the Magic are 22-2 when they make at least 39.3 percent – but the results are far different when they aren’t. Orlando missed 21 of 32 from long range and let a 15-point third-quarter lead slip away Friday in a 100-98 loss to Dallas.
“Watching Orlando all year long we know that they’re a team that has relinquished a lot of leads … just the way they play,” Mavs guard Jason Terry said. “They’re either going inside or they’re shooting 3s. You live by the 3 or you die by it.”
The Magic have overcome some high turnover totals – winning five times with at least 20 – but they’ve lost just twice in 12 games when committing fewer than 13.
Half of Orlando’s 16 turnovers on Friday came in the final 14 minutes.
“We keep doing it, doing it, doing it and doing it. It’s an area where we’re not getting better in,” Van Gundy told the Magic’s official website. ” … The turnovers, until we get that under control, we have no chance to beat good teams on a consistent basis – none.”
The Magic haven’t lost three in a row since a season-worst four-game skid from Jan. 26-30.
Orlando, though, is 20-3 at home versus Denver following an 85-82 victory on March 18, 2011, when Jameer Nelson hit a 3-pointer over Ty Lawson as time expired. The Nuggets (28-24) will try to improve that mark in central Florida as they continue their season-high seven-game trip.
Denver improved to 2-3 on that stretch following Friday’s 99-88 victory over league-worst Charlotte. The Nuggets missed 15 of 17 from beyond the arc and had 25 turnovers leading to 28 points, but they held the Bobcats to 36.7 percent shooting.
“It wasn’t pretty, but it sure was special,” said coach George Karl, whose team is 14-2 against the East this season.
The Nuggets, though, have lost their last six following a victory. They last won two in a row during a four-game run Feb. 29-March 5.
Wilson Chandler, who led Denver with 20 points in last season’s loss at Orlando, is day-to-day after suffering a strained groin Friday. Chandler has averaged 10.7 points on 40.3 percent shooting in seven games since returning from China.
The Magic’s last home loss in this series was 82-73 on Feb. 11, 2009. Orlando had won the previous 15 times the Nuggets were in town.