As The Magic Turn...

[el diablo]

Today, your Orlando Magic parted ways with GM Otis Smith & coach Stan Van Gundy. I can't say that I'm surprised. Otis failed to be able to put a team around "the franchise".  However, I just hate seeing situations where the inmates are running the prison. When Dwight leaves (during or at the end of next season) it's going to be a lonely world for O-town fans. Again.

[Phishfan]

Living here and not being a Magic fan is miserable. My local hangout gives me such a hard time for being a Lakers fan. I absolutely cannot wait for this to fall apart on them. I don't know if Howard stays or not. I know many people here have turned on him lately. If he goes because he cannopt get along with the new GM & coach either this franchise will go straight to the toilet. Otis was terrible. Stan is a good coach.

[CF DolFan]

Living here and not being a Magic fan is miserable. My local hangout gives me such a hard time for being a Lakers fan. I absolutely cannot wait for this to fall apart on them. I don't know if Howard stays or not. I know many people here have turned on him lately. If he goes because he cannopt get along with the new GM & coach either this franchise will go straight to the toilet. Otis was terrible. Stan is a good coach.

I think he will stay because he will hand pick his coach and GM. I just do not see it turning out very well. My hope is that he will leave anyways and leave the Magic high and dry.

The most telling comments from Martins last night ... Martins said, "Strategically, we may not be able to find anybody better (than Van Gundy), but there is another part of the job that I do think that, as we look for a head coach, we'll be focused on in terms of how the coach relates to his players and other coaches and others in the organization.

In other words they are looking for someone to coddle the players.

[Landshark]

I think he will stay because he will hand pick his coach and GM. I just do not see it turning out very well. My hope is that he will leave anyways and leave the Magic high and dry.

The most telling comments from Martins last night ... Martins said, "Strategically, we may not be able to find anybody better (than Van Gundy), but there is another part of the job that I do think that, as we look for a head coach, we'll be focused on in terms of how the coach relates to his players and other coaches and others in the organization.

In other words they are looking for someone to coddle the players.

And that right there is the beginning of the end of any franchise, when you have the players running the team.

[Phishfan]

The NBA is a bit different beast though. Many of the coaches are just figure heads. Players that are considered super stars in the NBA have much more pull over the team than any other sport, so there is nothing unusual here.

[Dave Gray]

I feel bad for the Magic.  They had no choice.  Stan got screwed (again).

You can't keep a superstar and coach that absolutely can't get along and cause drama.  This is more Howard's fault than Stan Van's, but what can you do?  You can't just cut your superstars.  No matter how good a coach is, he can't win a championship for you without the talent.  You can't put butts in seats, either.  Once they decided not to trade Howard, they were handcuffed.

If I were the Magic, I'd be scared to death that Howard was going to leave after this year.  And you think that people hate Lebron?  If Howard leaves the Magic hanging, people will really hate him.

[Phishfan]

^^^ If he doesn't sign an extension they won't play this game again. Look for him to be on the trading block if a new deal isn't done.

[el diablo]

And that right there is the beginning of the end of any franchise, when you have the players running the team.

Couldn't agree with you more. When you have management focusing on someone to "get along" with the players, you're in trouble. I believe that it plays a part. But when you marry for looks, you get what you get. Shaq, Penny, McGrady, now Dwight. All superstar talent that the Magic orginization failed to build around. At some point you have to ask, "Is it me?" Then again, when you own the team you can do what you want. Sound familiar?