ORLANDO, Fla. -- For months the Orlando Magic have been trudging through the aftermath of a preseason trade request by Dwight Howard that sapped the life out of the franchise as internal team issues quickly affected the product on the floor.
Now after easily one of the most tumultuous seasons in their history, they made the first in what promises to be a huge offseason shake-up.
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.
Smith and Van Gundy's relationship with Howard was the centerpiece of drama the team faced all season and following their second straight first-round playoff exit, CEO Alex Martins said the shift was warranted.
"It's time for a new leadership and a new approach," Martins said at a news conference to discuss the moves. "We simply came to the decision that we were not on the right track,"
Boy, is this team going to look stupid when Howard bails on them anyway.
"This is DIET Double Dew, Kyle! It only has half the caffeine and sugar of Double Dew!"
Otis Smith is horrible, he needed to go. I mean trading Marcin Gortot was a stupid move. The guy can start on most teams. Acquiring Hedo Turkaglu and that contract was terrible. I was fine with Stan, he was a good coach. I think if the new GM lets Dwight have input in the team Orlando will have a firesale.
Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando, the events of yesterday notwithstanding, a source close to Howard tells SheridanHoops.com
On the day coach Stan Van Gandy and general manager Otis Smith lost their jobs with the Magic, a source who has spoken with Howard recently said the All-Star center desperately wants to be traded prior to the start of next season.
So he got what he wanted and he's still going to leave the team high and dry.
What a jerk.
"This is DIET Double Dew, Kyle! It only has half the caffeine and sugar of Double Dew!"
Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando, the events of yesterday notwithstanding, a source close to Howard tells SheridanHoops.com
On the day coach Stan Van Gandy and general manager Otis Smith lost their jobs with the Magic, a source who has spoken with Howard recently said the All-Star center desperately wants to be traded prior to the start of next season.
So he got what he wanted and he's still going to leave the team high and dry.
What a jerk.
Perhaps you haven't been paying close enough attention, but firings or not Dwight was never going to stay in Orlando. The Magic already knew that as he has refused to commit to the team long-term.
WTF?!?!? The right thing for the losing school to do would be to tell the head of the "winning" (quotes on purpose) school to STFU. The losing team didn't make a single peep about getting blown out.