| |
|
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:
Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
, Fri, 13 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Chavez brothers to return on April 25
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
, Thu, 12 Mar 202683 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026“The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
, Wed, 11 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
, Wed, 11 Mar 2026World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
, Wed, 11 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
