Stan Van Gundy named new Orlando Magic coach
Stan Van Gundy named new Orlando Magic coach - Orlando Sentinel :
Latest update of the local soap opera that is the Orlando Magic:
Latest update of the local soap opera that is the Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic announced that they have signed Stan Van Gundy to coach the team after reaching a compensation agreement with his former team, the Miami Heat, early today.I guess we'll know for sure by 5 p.m. today, then hold our breath and check the headlines Monday morning to see if it stuck.
Van Gundy replaces Billy Donovan, who was officially released by the Magic from a contract he signed with the team last Friday. The Magic have scheduled a news conference for 5 p.m. today to introduce Van Gundy.
posted by WeRDevos @ 10:25 AM
3 Comments:
At 10:33 AM,
WeRDevos said…
I love the line "replaces Donovan." Does this mean we won't be comparing SVG to that wonderful 76-92 run that was B.Hill?
I'm happy the Magic have hired a successful NBA coach unlike the last 5 who either had no HC experience or were losers: Donovan, Hill, Jent, Davis & Rivers.
Here is the SVG Wiki:
After working as an assistant under coaching legend Pat Riley, Van Gundy was named head coach when Riley abruptly resigned as coach prior to the 2003-04 season. However, Riley remained on as President of the team. Van Gundy took over a team that had won 25 games the previous season. He led them to a 42-win season, in which they surprised many by advancing to the second round of the 2004 NBA Playoffs, nearly defeating the Indiana Pacers due to the strong play of rookie Dwyane Wade.
During the off-season, Riley arranged a trade to bring Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat. The Heat ended the first half of the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, allowing Van Gundy to become the first Heat coach to coach in the All-Star game, leading the East to a victory. The Heat finished the season with 59 wins, earning the best record in the conference.
The Heat went on to advance to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons. Injuries and fatigue played a factor in their defeat. During the 2005 off-season, it was widely speculated that basketball legend Pat Riley was attempting to run Van Gundy out of his coaching job. Whether or not these rumors were valid, Van Gundy indeed resigned from his position as head coach in December 2005, insisting that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Riley again took over as head coach, leading the Heat to victory in the 2006 NBA Finals.
Van Gundy has a winning percentage of .605 in the NBA.
At 10:35 AM,
WeRDevos said…
It's up on the Magic official site now as well.
At 1:59 AM,
OVERWADED said…
You know, in the end, we got what we wanted; Brian Hill is no more.
Stan Van Gundy doesn't bring the hype, but he should get the job done just as good if not better than Donovan would have.
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