Around The NBA: Lakers Out, Van Gundy Unemployed

106 Thunder, 90 Lakers

Who cares about the game itself, Spurs vs Thunder is a great series. But the best thing about the Lakers loss is the impending fall out I see Kobe calling everyone out and I see both Bynum an Gasol being traded. With Dwight Howard saying he wants to be traded the Bynum for Howard deal is all about when, not if. With Gasol decided to shy away from the moment and with Kobe calling him out 800 times, he should not be expecting to be in a Laker uniform next year. With that being said, I blame Kobe for this early playoff exit 100%, his shot selection is awful, he had turnovers in clutch times and was just not a team player. Bynum could have been huge in this series, but Kobe opted a 25 fade away jumpshot while being double teams was a better option. This won't, but should tarnish some of Kobe's legacy.

The Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy on Monday and agreed to part ways with general manager Otis Smith, severing ties with two of the architects of one of the most successful runs in franchise history. ESPN

I'm not a huge Stan Van Gundy and I believe he's a good coach, but I think of him as a Bobby Valentine like manager, where he gets old quick due to his off court nonsense. Van Gundy will get a job quickly. Otis Smith tried his hardest, but nothing really worked, whether it be Turkalo, Rashard Lewis, etc. But this was obviously going to happen because Dwight wanted them gone. Which makes him requesting a trade more confusing.

Is Dwight Howard Really Hurt?

I am beginning to question if Howard is really hurt at all. I am saying this because of a report coming out of Orlando today...

"Magic center Dwight Howard has called team owner Rich DeVos to tell him that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, WKMG in Orlando is reporting."

If this is true, and it's why he isn't playing then Dwight Howard is way worse then Lebron and maybe any other athlete I can think of. Not only is he quitting on his coach, he is quitting on his fans, the organization that drafted and pays him, and his teammates.

I said even when there were rumors that the Celtics could make a push for him that I don't like this guy. I feel he is more about his brand than he is about winning anything.

This Dwight/ SVG Interview Is Ridiculous

Dwight Howard just really needs to be honest. It's blatantly obvious that he wants to be liked by everyone. I would like him more if he just said, "Yea, I want to be traded, and Hell yea I want SVG outta here."

Dwight Howard Wants Van Gundy Fired

"According to WKMG Local 6 Sports Director Dave Pingalore, Howard wants Stan Van Gundy fired. Pingalore's Magic sources confirm that Howard continues to convey to team owners that he wants a change in the coaching staff. There was an ESPN.com report before the trade deadline that Howard told the Magic to fire Van Gundy (Sportsline)."

Orlando has lost 4 in a row (2 without Howard), and once again Howard is bitching. Good thing they didn't trade this piece of shit, so they get to go through this all again next year. I am not a big Van Gundy fan, but he actually has done a pretty decent job. He has had his star player bitch all year long, he has a team really other than Howard isn't overly talented, and yet they are still currently the 5 seed and could easily be the 3 seed by the time the playoffs start.

What is sad is that Howard will most likely get what he wants, and Van Gundy will be gone. Then next year, Howard will force his way out anyways, and then the Magic will be left without their star, and a pretty decent coach.