The job of a leader is to motivate and build harmony among its people, not just impose a system. Though that is very good, too. But, a system in disarray is not going to win championships. Or, for commercial entities, provide superior profits. So, one can understand the ownership dilemma. Have to be hitting on all cylinders to win.
Gary A - 12 years ago
In the end, placating your superstar does not guarantee he/she will stay. James left even after Cleveland did EVERYTHING he asked. A winning system will bear fruit over time. Coaches that can develop productive systems are not that easy to find. I suspect Orlando will learn this over the next few years. After which DH will probably leave anyway.
Since when do players,who are paid inflated salaries dictate who will coach their teams.?
jimmy - 12 years ago
People lets not forget it was the players who won those games not the coach. He might influence and strategize the game but the players are the ones who make it happen. He was a good coach but good coachs dont cut it! Great coaches do... So the Magic did the right thing. We need a fresh new coach that is gonna bring out the best in our players not the worst! Later Van Grumpy!!!
BT - 12 years ago
Respect should be mutual, but the coach should lead the team to that end, not the annointed superstar. The superstar needs to earn the respect by producing on the floor and DH has never done that.
904 Community - 12 years ago
Bruce - Howard can't even get close to James. You don't fire a coach over your player because he wants you to. Howard is a big baby....... I hope he leaves the mgaics so then can suffer from their mistakes. Even if he decides to saty they still stink.
Dionne - 12 years ago
Being humble is the best way to go. I think Howard needs to eat some humble pie.
clove - 12 years ago
Howard sucks. Get rid of Magic best coach they ever had for a player coming off back surgery, cant be a consistent force everynight, and thinks every thing is a joke. Magic dont make playoffs next year!!!!!!
felixC - 12 years ago
Worst decision Orlando could have made. I don't know what all the hype is about Howard, like really how many championships could we have had by now if he would put more effort when really needed. I remember a few years ago when Rashard Lewis and hedo were the only two guys pushing in the game in the forth quarter and no one trued as hard as they did. It wasn't all about van gundy,it's about the organization it self. They better hope Howard doesn't leave them next year because that's what it looks like. What if Howard doesn't like the next coach are they going to fire him as well? They could have handled this situation better but they didn't. As for making it past the first round in the playoffs blame the team not the coach because as record shows van gundy did his job.
Tom - 12 years ago
I believe Orlando would have been better off to keep the coach and trade Howard. Howard acts like I would, if I had all that money and attention at such a young age. What does Howard *really* want? Will he start WANTING a championship before he gets too old to DELIVER a championship? When (or if) he matures, Dwight will realize he needs a good coach to help make that happen.
Bruce - 12 years ago
There are a lot more good coaches than superstars. They need to keep the stars if at all possible. Dwight is a class act for the most part and does a lot for the community, not some punk like Kobe, or James etc.. Trying to keep Dwight happy is a no brainer.
RM - 12 years ago
Doesn't matter who is or isn't a punk. The guys philosophy on basketball is completely wrong. His strategy is, and always has been, to play from the outside in. Rely on the three to pull defenders, then go to Howard on the inside. But a good coach is easily able to adjust their defense when given a chance such as in a playoff situation, or if their 3-point shooters are off, which isn't too unreasonable, they end up with a low scoring loss. If you have a dominant big man like Dwight Howard, you need a coach who is going to use him properly, and clearly Van Gundy is not the guy for that job...
Casey - 12 years ago
I agree, Dwight is a punk, but what superstar isn't? The problem is that Van Gundy lost the respect of his players. Almost all of them, not just Dwight. When this happens the whole team goes to pot, like we saw towards the end of this season. Change is necessary for growth. Things were obviously getting too stagnant. If they can get a good coach and a good supporting superstar to compliment Dwight like Deron Williams, watch out!
The job of a leader is to motivate and build harmony among its people, not just impose a system. Though that is very good, too. But, a system in disarray is not going to win championships. Or, for commercial entities, provide superior profits. So, one can understand the ownership dilemma. Have to be hitting on all cylinders to win.
In the end, placating your superstar does not guarantee he/she will stay. James left even after Cleveland did EVERYTHING he asked. A winning system will bear fruit over time. Coaches that can develop productive systems are not that easy to find. I suspect Orlando will learn this over the next few years. After which DH will probably leave anyway.
Since when do players,who are paid inflated salaries dictate who will coach their teams.?
People lets not forget it was the players who won those games not the coach. He might influence and strategize the game but the players are the ones who make it happen. He was a good coach but good coachs dont cut it! Great coaches do... So the Magic did the right thing. We need a fresh new coach that is gonna bring out the best in our players not the worst! Later Van Grumpy!!!
Respect should be mutual, but the coach should lead the team to that end, not the annointed superstar. The superstar needs to earn the respect by producing on the floor and DH has never done that.
Bruce - Howard can't even get close to James. You don't fire a coach over your player because he wants you to. Howard is a big baby....... I hope he leaves the mgaics so then can suffer from their mistakes. Even if he decides to saty they still stink.
Being humble is the best way to go. I think Howard needs to eat some humble pie.
Howard sucks. Get rid of Magic best coach they ever had for a player coming off back surgery, cant be a consistent force everynight, and thinks every thing is a joke. Magic dont make playoffs next year!!!!!!
Worst decision Orlando could have made. I don't know what all the hype is about Howard, like really how many championships could we have had by now if he would put more effort when really needed. I remember a few years ago when Rashard Lewis and hedo were the only two guys pushing in the game in the forth quarter and no one trued as hard as they did. It wasn't all about van gundy,it's about the organization it self. They better hope Howard doesn't leave them next year because that's what it looks like. What if Howard doesn't like the next coach are they going to fire him as well? They could have handled this situation better but they didn't. As for making it past the first round in the playoffs blame the team not the coach because as record shows van gundy did his job.
I believe Orlando would have been better off to keep the coach and trade Howard. Howard acts like I would, if I had all that money and attention at such a young age. What does Howard *really* want? Will he start WANTING a championship before he gets too old to DELIVER a championship? When (or if) he matures, Dwight will realize he needs a good coach to help make that happen.
There are a lot more good coaches than superstars. They need to keep the stars if at all possible. Dwight is a class act for the most part and does a lot for the community, not some punk like Kobe, or James etc.. Trying to keep Dwight happy is a no brainer.
Doesn't matter who is or isn't a punk. The guys philosophy on basketball is completely wrong. His strategy is, and always has been, to play from the outside in. Rely on the three to pull defenders, then go to Howard on the inside. But a good coach is easily able to adjust their defense when given a chance such as in a playoff situation, or if their 3-point shooters are off, which isn't too unreasonable, they end up with a low scoring loss. If you have a dominant big man like Dwight Howard, you need a coach who is going to use him properly, and clearly Van Gundy is not the guy for that job...
I agree, Dwight is a punk, but what superstar isn't? The problem is that Van Gundy lost the respect of his players. Almost all of them, not just Dwight. When this happens the whole team goes to pot, like we saw towards the end of this season. Change is necessary for growth. Things were obviously getting too stagnant. If they can get a good coach and a good supporting superstar to compliment Dwight like Deron Williams, watch out!
Dwight Howard is a punk