GM Sides With Van Gundy, Who Chastises Howard Again

ORLANDO -- Magic general manager Otis Smith Thursday sided with Coach Stan Van Gundy, who brushed aside recent criticism of his offensive strategy and essentially chastised star center Dwight Howard going into Game 6 Thurday night against the Boston Celtics.

After a Game 5 loss in Boston on Tuesday, Howard criticized Van Gundy and his play calling, complaining that he wasn't getting the ball enough on offense. Howard hit five of 10 shots for 12 points.

"Dwight has to understand his primary roles and primary importance to this team, are defense and rebounding,'' Van Gundy said Thursday morning after a film session. "It's why he became Defensive Player of the Year. That's what we need from him.''

Earlier: Van Gundy Not Backing Down

Howard, who averaged 20.6 points in the regular season and 24 points in the first round against Philadelphia, has struggled offensively against Boston. He has averaged just 16 points in five games, getting manhandled mostly by Kendrick Perkins.

The Magic trail the series, 3-2, facing an elimination game tonight.

"Scoring has been difficult for him, and he's let that effect his defensive intensity and his movement. He has to focus more on those areas,'' Van Gundy said. He also said that Howard has lost his focus in this series, and spent too much time worrying about what the analysts are saying.

Van Gundy also said that any criticism of his coaching, from his players or from the media, hasn't changed anything going into Game 6.

"Six days ago, I could coach. We were up 2-1. We had just won another game without a starter, and I was a near genius,'' Van Gundy said sarcastically "In six days now I've gotten stupid. Criticism would bother me if it was coming from people like Jack Ramsey or Hubie Brown, people I respect. If it's (television analysts) Tim Legler or Charles Barkley, it doesn't mean anything. I'm not aware of any games they've coached.''

Magic general manager Otis Smith also said Thursday that Howard's criticism of Van Gundy was unfounded. Smith met with Howard Wednesday to explain it. Smith also said Van Gundy's status as coach was secure.

"I don't understand why he wouldn't be," Smith said. "He's still the coach that he is. He still does a good job doing what he does."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-14-2009 @ 2:40PM

Glenn20 said...

Van Gundy says Howard "spent too much time worrying about what the analysts are saying", but then he goes on to say that he (Van Gundy) doesn't respect the criticisms he is receiving from Legler and Barkley.

Gee Stan, you think maybe YOU are the one worrying about what the analysts are saying?

5-14-2009 @ 2:49PM

kgr1996 said...

it really doesn't matter.. NEITHER one of them should be worrying about what the analysts are saying. they should ONLY be focused on the game at hand coming up.. end of story.. everybody and every team, needs to get away from the he said, he said stuff and worry about the teams they have to face..

5-14-2009 @ 2:58PM

Michael gifford said...

this is a BIG mistake for the Magic from Van gundy to management...Shaq didn't stay in Orlando because he was appreciate, he stayed because his voice wasn't respected and he went for both dollars and a commitment to winning. And he knew that his 'touches' were part of a winning formula at the time...Van Gundy like his brother, is a control freak, wanting to control EVERY move of his players and even their thoughts...sadly, he doesn't get that in the equation Performance = Potential - Interference, that he himself is the interference. He can get his team to the playoffs no question but then so can 15 other coaches EVERY year...He will never win it all with his attitude...

5-14-2009 @ 4:07PM

richcantwell109 said...

Michael, I agree with your opinion of this situation. What I don't agree with is.."like his brother, a control freak". During Jeff Van Gundy's tenure in NY I thought of him as a no-nonsense coach who stressed defense. He always seemed in "control" of things, but I don't think you mean that. Please explain.

5-14-2009 @ 2:59PM

correction in previous post "Shaq didn't stay in Orlando because He wasn't appreciated, and left because he wasn't respected."

5-14-2009 @ 3:31PM

nathanielknm said...

Why would you shoot 3s with a 14 point lead and only minutes left to play. One of the worst strategies imaginable. Run up the court and try and get a quick low percentage shot in? With the lead? Someones eating too many stupid sandwiches. It doesn't have to be Howard, but for god's sake run the clock and get into the paint.

5-14-2009 @ 3:34PM

50 Million said...

Howard take your millions and millions and shut the f up. It is never a good idea to air your dirty laundry in public during the playoffs. I hope Orlando trades his butt. Van Gundy is a great coach who gets excited "so"? The Magic will have to have a gut check and stop acting like the latter day Dallas Cowboys before they
can go to the next level.

5-14-2009 @ 3:52PM

lopjackie21 said...

Dwight Howard became a useless giraffe in games
4 and 5...!
Now; the Celtics have a chance of winning the
series...!
That's ok....!
Celtics and Lakers???
GO LAKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS!

5-14-2009 @ 4:42PM

countflock said...

I dislike the Celtics immensely and it pains me to say this, but the Celtics will win tonight. Way to go Howard. Oh, well, Boston vs. Cleveland will be a better matchup anyway. The Cavs haven’t been challenged in the playoffs and the Celtics seem to find a way to win. A team on the rise with championship potential verses last years champs – It won’t get any better than this. Go Nuggets.

5-14-2009 @ 4:45PM

I couldn't agree with you more.

5-14-2009 @ 5:03PM

obamaizadope said...

Memo to Howard: if you can't chew up and spit out Kendrick Perkins, you have alot of work to do before you're as great as you think you are..

5-14-2009 @ 5:23PM

obama, if you're talking about Howard on offense, being covered by Perkins on defense, it's probably one of the toughest matchups for Howard in the entire NBA. He'll chew up and spit out 90% of centers in the league easier than he could do so with Perkins. Perkins is strong defensively and one of the few guys who can match Howard's muscle. However, at the other end of the court is where Howard will dominate -- but it doesn't matter as much because the Celtics don't rely on Perkins for much of their offense.

5-14-2009 @ 5:11PM

GO LAKERRRRRRRS!

5-14-2009 @ 5:19PM

lopjackie you are awesome!

5-14-2009 @ 5:27PM

richcantwell 109...first, thanks for the tone of your post...it was respectful, and genuinely curious while disagreeing...a rare thing among the usual pissing contests on the boards. Here's my explanation:
Jeff, has been a no nonsense coach who stresses discipline, without question..and those qualities are admirable, but he also, like his brother, likes to run almost every minute of the game without giving the players any credit for their ability to be on the court without him. You would never see any freedom and while too much freedom is detrimental to some players such as "Stevie Franchise" when he played for Jeff, nevertheless without the trust you see in the players by the coach, such as you see in Adelman, Pop or PJ, they never grow into their optimal performance, they are always being 'parented' to some degree and in the Van Gundy's, the hallmark is that control of the game, most often lies in their hands vs. in their players' hands. You rarely see the support to "let them work through it" like Pop uses or PJ in particular...this is what matures players, not the constant input of a coach trying to 'make sure' they do the right things on the court at each and every minute. Most of the best coaching actually occurs in practice not on the sidelines...where you can watch the Van Gundys regularly get apoplectic when something goes not the way they think it should.

5-14-2009 @ 5:36PM

robert said...

majic management have been wrong for 20 years.. Only lucky to get three lottery first picks. gundy does not need smith to say anything and dwight and gundy need to let this quietly end and focus on playing ball and communicating together as a team in the future and leave the past where it was. A very frustraiting game and post game comments. Dwight helped bring orlando a lot of wins and deserves respect and appreciation. He is human and if he made a mistake so be it but it has already been handled. Its shows what a moron the gm of the majic is. The work ethic and growth of Dwight has been awesome and inspirational to the other players on the team. Van Gundy is being out coached by Doc Rivers. THe Celtics have gotton more points after time outs than the majic by far. Baby Davis a 300 pound getting 20 points a game and no answer. Where there is smoke there is fire.. Shaq saying what he did. The heat winning a campionship after gundy ect. Smith shoul dhave handled this in house and no t in the media. No pick and rolls. NO discussion of the offensive picks davis sets. No mention of the question able calls going the celtics way.

5-14-2009 @ 5:56PM

Sam said...

dwight howard is a beast straight up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-14-2009 @ 6:22PM

Glenn, I disagree. True Perkins is a mountain, but Howard's post moves are pathetic. Doing anything other than dunking, he looks like a white man trying to dance..

5-14-2009 @ 7:24PM

vandervoorts said...

We want Boston to win so we can kick their ass and watch KG cry like a baby. Yours truly, Lebron and crew

5-14-2009 @ 7:32PM

krmagley said...

it seems the only two players superman can't dominate are rasheed wallace and kendrick perkins. dwight better hope rasheed goes to the western conference or he'll never even make it to the eastern conference finals.

the magic are a finesse team and always were, they can be offended by it all they want, but it's a fact. i'm not surprised they're having trouble with a physical team like the celtics, even without kg.