[Stan] Van Gundy had a big heart-to-heart with his franchise player, during which he was able to...

[Stan] Van Gundy had a big heart-to-heart with his franchise player, during which he was able to produce a tape showing [Dwight] Howard just how many times he had gotten the ball in this series and what he had done with it after he got it. It was rather humbling. Howard may not have been worth throwing to, given that he really has no go-to move whatsoever.

Once Howard understood his limitations, he began focusing on his strengths and one of his great strengths is his strength, if you know what I mean.

Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe with more insight into the meeting Stan Van Gundy had with Dwight Howard in the wake of Howard's shocking criticism after Game 5. (ht: Whit Watson of Sun Sports)

over 2 years ago Evan Dunlap 17 comments 1 recs |

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Really speaks to SBG's preparation

Like, he just happened to have a tape of all Dwight’s touches lying around. Sure, he probably needed to make it especially for this meeting, but the fact that he was willing to do that in order to send a message to his franchise player—without publicly embarrassing him—is impressive. SVG turned what had been a disastrous situation, in which the media exaggerated a rift between a player and a coach, into a teaching opportunity. Not many other coaches would have been able to do that, I don’t think.

While we’re talking about preparation, let me just say that Stan’s whiteboard is every bit as marvelous as Henry Abbott made it sound. I literally can’t say much more than that since the Magic made it very clear to me that taking notes on it, or photographing it, whatever, was forbidden. But wow, what a sight.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Playoff Central

by Evan Dunlap on May 17, 2009 1:48 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

That was great Ben, Henry has done some good ones lately...

The Celtics board just needs one word on it ; UBUNTU

by jyrecelts on May 17, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that would for work Boston.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 17, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I'm real impressed by how SVG has approached this entire situation.

.. and the fact Howard took the criticisms like a man; I’m real impressed with that too.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was non-plussed by the whole flap, but one thing was obvious...

The Magic aren’t in that game in the first place, and neither is Howard, if they had any kind of actual problem with the other. The fact they went all season and into game 5 without there being any such obvious problem told me that it was just emotion and since my opinion of SVG is what you see and hear is what you get, I wasn’t looking for any hidden problems. Of course, my confidence in the C’s caused me to place a stupid bet, but I wasn’t looking at a Magic collapse because of SVG or Howard, just expected us to execute when we needed to. Some Boston Fans are jumping on the panic wagon even after we win the close ones… meh…

by jyrecelts on May 17, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

The only thing that frustrated me was ..

a.) people supported Dwight for what he said and b.) people invited the idea of wanting SVG fired .. like, really? Ridiculous. I never saw the spat as anything major, yet people overreacted badly.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 17, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

We have a few "Fire Doc" cannons loaded and ready to go over at CB, comes with winning I guess...

by jyrecelts on May 17, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 17, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

About the tape

SVG didn’t need much trouble to get that film. Some companies offer that kind of service and you just need a click to see film of every possession used by a said player. There are some truly amazing solutions: in an European club, for example, they were able to check the stats from every single Siskauskas/Smodis pick’n’roll they had ran that season and film from every one of those plays in a matter of minutes. (not to take anything away from SVG, it was a very wise move of him).

by cordobes on May 17, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Synergy .. of course.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 17, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to say, and I'm probably not the first to say this

but Pat Riley screwing over SVG turned out to be a blessing for the Magic. Wonderful coach to have on the sidelines.

Also, much respect to Howard for not taking offense in whatever SVG did. Very commendable display of humility by Howard. How many superstars would take that kind of situation the wrong way?

these fanposts are starting to kill me

by misterterrific on May 17, 2009 5:53 AM EDT reply actions

Like i pointed out in my post from a few weeks ago...

Can you imagine how the likes of A.I. Steve Francis or Steph Marbury would have reacted to their coach putting their weaknesses on a platter for them?

It would have blown up all team harmony, and in just about any other situation, SVG probably would have been sacked to keep the ‘Star’ happy.

Obviously a lot of faith shown by SVG that his crown jewel would be able to take the criticizims and move forward.

Bleeding Blue Black and Silver for 20 of my 23 years.

by FLYNN47 on May 17, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions