| |
|
NBA - Orlando Magic fires head coach Stan Van Gundy
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 May 2012
THE Orlando Magic annouced on Monday afternoon that it had fired head coach Stan Van Gundy. The team also parted ways with its general manager, Otis Smith.
"It's time for new leadership, new voices," Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a statement. "The disappointment of getitng 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."
Van Gundy assumed the Magic's head coaching position in 2007 and quickly made an impact, racking up wins to become the fastest coach in NBA history to pocket 300 wins. He took Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
But the last two years have been a disappointment. In this condensed, post-lockout season, the Magic finished the 66-game schedule with a pedestrian 39-27 won-lost slate.
Ravaged by injuries, particularly Dwight Howard's back surgery, the sixth seeded Orlando Magic were eliminated from this year's playoffs by the No.3 seeded Indiana Pacers, who dominated the best-of-7 matchup, 4-1.
Van Gundy has had a testy relationship with Howard, the team's superstar, and his firing comes hardly as a surprise. Howard is signed until the 2012 season and Van Gundy's termination is seen as a management move to placate the 7-foot center in hopes that he would sign a long-term deal to stay in Orlando.
As for Van Gundy, he will likely be in the short list of NBA teams who may want a change of course. In his eight years as an NBA head coach, Van Gundy compiled a record of 371 wins against 209 losses for a high 64.1 percent winning percentage. His postseason record is 49-39, a modest 55.2 percent clip. (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
, Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
, Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
, Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
, Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
