Stan Van Gundy: Free-Agent Magnet
In the last week, two of the Orlando Magic's free-agency targets have gone out of their way to praise Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy. And this is not something I think we should ignore.
When Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reached Matt Barnes, the newest Magic player, by telephone last night, Barnes explained his motivation for choosing Orlando thusly:
It really came down to Dallas, Cleveland and Orlando, and each of them are good teams. But I just felt overall that Orlando would be the best fit for me with the style they play and the way [Coach Stan] Van Gundy turned the franchise around."
"...and the way Stan Van Gundy turned the franchise around." This is not faint praise. This is respect for a coach who took over a 40-42 team, then guided it to a 111-53 record over the next two seasons, capping the second one off with an NBA Finals appearance.
Earlier this week, in an interview with RealGM's Alex Kennedy, point guard C.J. Watson had this to say, among other things:
"I want to play with Orlando. With the four All-Stars and Stan [Van Gundy]."
Again, Watson could have ended that comment with the word "All-Stars," but he didn't. He mentioned Van Gundy as part of Orlando's appeal. The opportunity to play under Van Gundy is, to Watson, nearly as enticing as the opportunity to play with Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson.
Are you hearing this? Are you believing this? Van Gundy, the man whom some Magic fans wanted fired after his team blew a 14-point, 4th-quarter lead to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, is now almost a big a draw for free-agents as Dwight freakin' Howard is.
That, really, is my underlying point. No numbers-crunching, no real analysis. Just pointing out that the presence of an elite head coach is another factor working in Orlando's favor when it comes to landing free agents. Not big-shots, no, as Barnes is a career role-player, and Watson--against his wishes, it appears--will either have to stay with Golden State or look for a new home outside Orlando, as the Magic are out of money. But these sorts of mid-rotation players, the ones who really buy-in to a coach's system and play hard, they could make a tremendous difference in the postseason.
Stan Van Gundy is coaching the Magic to victory on the court, and attracting solid players to them off it. Who could have guessed?
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"This is respect for a coach who took over a 40-42 team, then guided it to a 101-53 record over the next two seasons, capping the second one off with an NBA Finals appearance."
Don’t you mean, 111-53?
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by malars on Jul 24, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
SVG has that undeniable 70’s porn charm. FA’s know there will always be an after-party.
by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 24, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
LMAO.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only Shaq and Heat fans think SVG cannot coach. Guy is the goods.
by CaneGrad05 on Jul 24, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yizzir.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But all his players hate him....
according to the national media. I guess these guys didn’t get the memo….
by Colossus57 on Jul 24, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The media just likes the create controversy.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to create a fanposts for this, but I guess here would be more appropriate . . .
Anybody else worried about SVG’s weight issue? Stan is beautiful the way he is, but I want him to be with the Magic for a long, long time. I hope he will go on a diet and a moderate exercise regime to slim down a little bit. This can only be beneficial to him when he yells from the sidelines since he will be fit enough to yell louder and longer.
My only concern with SVG exercising would be that it could de-stress him a little bit (exercise does that for me), and I think SVG thrives while being stressed out of his mind while providing us fans with hours of entertainment.
So Stan, exercise just enough to slim down only a tad and prolong your life, but don’t extend yourself so that it makes you calm.
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by funny80sguy on Jul 24, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Nice.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Turks gone he’s not going to have anyone to yell at, MP maybe
by D-RAK on Jul 24, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He'll yell at jameer, just like he did when he backed off fisher for the game tying 3pointer in game 4
Yup, still can’t get over that one
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on Jul 24, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was a 3Q rule
To never speak of that again?
by Eric9321 on Jul 24, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love the article. Tweeted it.
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by KingJafi on Jul 24, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
People are so fickle
Otis had to come out and pretty much assure everyone that Stan’s job was safe in the playoff’s, media all want to say how horrible he is and players hate him, this just in: YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HATE THE COACH!
He has to tell you when you do a bad job, he has to push you to improve and work on defense, and ultimately he decides who plays and who doesn’t. The players that play hate him for the yelling, the players that don’t play hate him for not playing them. There were times when I hated him for not benching players that were just playing horribly and killing us, and you know what 90% of the time that same player I hated would hit a pivotal bucket from the corner…I tell you what, we should be happy we have a thick skinned coach that knows his stuff, its a thankless job but someone’s got to do it.
by Eric9321 on Jul 24, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Quite simply, Stan knows what he's doing and I think everyone needs to have a little faith.
I remember 3QC was ready to renounce Van Gundy after the Game 5 debacle against the Celtics but I told everyone to stop overreacting and look at the big picture. SVG is the best coach the Magic have had ..
.. and you want him fired? Come on, now.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I (sort of ) agree
SVG is a good coach and an amazing asset to the Magic. But you have to admit he second guessed his decisions in the finals, and several times in the reg. season he stuck with failing lineups too long. Not that I could do better, and I dont think there are many better coaches in the league(Pop./ Jackson/ Sloan) either. But before we go getting to opinionated on way or another we should realize SVG is growing and learning same as the team he coaches. We together are one final step from a championship. I like our ownership and management. I think SVG is going to be great here. But we all have to keep things in perspective. SVG is good but has room to improve.
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by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 25, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree, but people need to have some patience and let things take care of themselves.
I think the organization has earned that trust from the fans.
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"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 25, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's a smart guy who knows how to use talent
The bottom line is that players want to be put into a position where they can succeed, and their talents are fully used. This garners them both accolades and money, the normal measures of success. I think Stan has really put his players in positions to let their talents shine, and at the same time be a part of a very successful whole. End of the day that’s all that matters. And I think that while Stan is critical, he certainly praises and defends the team to the national media. I’m sure Dwight is grateful that Stan let him take the high road and took the heat on himself when Shaq decided to basically be a sore loser and rip on him. Stan is critical, but he sticks up for his guys against others, and that’s what counts.
by Swami Digital on Jul 24, 2009 1:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Well said.
A great comment deserves a ‘rec’ so here you go.
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"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it was Stan bringing guys in
It was Dwight’s impression of Stan.
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by big aaron on Jul 24, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"I'm always in a bad mood!"
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by Ben Q Rock on Jul 24, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its obvious that Stan is passionate about coaching
That is what outside players and fans see. This energy can be seen in 2 different ways. Either he is an intense coach that demands the best from his players or an over zealous dictator that lets his emotions control him.
by Souwantmyname on Jul 24, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, I know that the Magic players have gotten used to it.
.. and off the court, during the Summer League, Howard and Van Gundy goofed around at times. It’s clear that they each have a good rapport with each other, which should comfort everyone who follows the team.
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"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How did heck did Mike Brown get COY?
MB being Lebron’s assistant gets him COY. I guess Lebron is the KING afterall./sarcasm. SVG is a REAL coach who draws up plays in the huddle with his clipboard. While Mike “Clown” is merely an observer standing amongst the players while his ASSISTANT draws up a play. LOL SVG ate Mike Clown’s a## up!
by O-Town MagiCane on Jul 24, 2009 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably because the Cavaliers finished with the best record during the regular season.
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by erivera7 on Jul 24, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Yes, he has arguably the best player in basketball, but what else?
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by Wmillion on Jul 24, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the difference with SVG and Mike Brown...
A lot of coaches these days are too nice and coddle their players. While it may be easier for the players to deal with, they don’t improve at the same rate as those who play for the Stan Van Gundy’s, the Hubie Brown’s, etc.
Mike Brown fears LeBron James. He lets LeBron be the boss during crunch time. It makes James a one-man wrecking crew but it stifles the growth of the rest of the Cavaliers. Rather than learning team discipline, they spend a lot of time shooting imaginary photographs (fine by me).
Last season, SVG had no trouble coaching three All-Stars and the previous season’s Most Improved Player. And their success was attributed not to individual performances, but to how well they played as a team. At times, they resembled the early 70’s Knicks… a bunch of big names on the floor making 3-4 passes until an open perimeter player made an uncontested shot. Players coming to the Magic know they’ll get screamed at, but they also know that it won’t be for naught. With SVG’s passion comes success.
by prime61 on Jul 24, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt.
Well said, sir.
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 Jul 25, 2009 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear u
Lebron not only holds Mike Brown captive, but he is doing the same thing to the organization. A coach like SVG might not make it a season with LBJ, not saying isn’t the right coach, but LBJ has too much power.
My point was front office.. I Mike Brown did a nice job with the talent he was given. We all know the talent supporting LBJ in Cleveland was mediocre at best.
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by Wmillion on Jul 25, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad that SVG didn't get the COY award
It’s a curse I tell ya A CURSE!!!
by Souwantmyname on Jul 25, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he could get it. Never know.
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 Jul 26, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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