Schmitz: Orlando Magic Extend Contracts of Coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith through 2013, Promote Smith to President of Basketball Operations
by Ben Q Rock on Jul 27, 2010 8:20 PM EDT
in News
35 comments
The Orlando Magic aren't finished shaking things up after last season. Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic have extended the contracts of head coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith, who will also receive the title President of Basketball Operations, through the 2012/13 NBA season.
Schmitz has more on Van Gundy and Smith's history with the team:
Van Gundy received some criticism, particularly from ESPN's analyst Michael Wilbon. Wilbon reported that he had heard "rumblings" that Van Gundy would be fired if the Magic did not reach the NBA Finals, drawing a harsh response from the coach.
Smith, an original member of the Magic's expansion team as a small forward, took over as full-time general manager in 2006. He and Dave Twardzik had shared the GM post the previous season.
Under Smith's watch, the Magic have become one of the NBA's elite teams.
He is largely credited, along with Van Gundy, for changing the culture of the franchise and holding players accountable.
Additionally, the team promoted Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins to team president. His contract also runs through 2012/13.
The Magic have called a press conference for tomorrow morning to make the announcement official.
It's hard to argue against any of these moves. Smith and Van Gundy, with the help of franchise center Dwight Howard, have lifted the team from mediocrity to the elite on the court. Behind the scenes, Martins has helped the Magic secure their new arena, the Amway Center, which will open this season.
The Magic and their fans have to feel good about the direction in which the team is headed. Stability in the front office, competent coaching, a deep roster and an ownership group willing to pay for a winning team? Few franchises can boast checkmarks next to all four of those attributes.
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Hip, hip Hooray!
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
"I thank my teammates for letting their men blow by them." - Alonzo Mourning after winning the DPOY award
Cool, More Stan!
So you can keep knocking but won't knock me down
No love lost, no love found
by Some other guy who does not care on Jul 27, 2010 9:16 PM EDT reply actions
The last two paragraphs of BQR's post says it all
A well-deserved extension for Stan Van Gundy, and a well-deserved promotion and extension for Otis Smith and Alex Martins.
Sure, Van Gundy and Smith have made some mistakes along the way, but the good they have brought to the Magic franchise far outweighs anything negative.
Orlando Magic... 2010 Eastern Conference Finalist
Chicago Blackhawks... 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Champions!!
by Mike from Illinois on Jul 27, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions
According to the official Magic website...
…Bob Vander Weide began his career with the Magic in 1992 as vice president of basketball operations.
Not sure if any other Magic executive ever held that title.
Orlando Magic... 2010 Eastern Conference Finalist
Chicago Blackhawks... 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Champions!!
by Mike from Illinois on Jul 28, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
How can you have a vice president without a president?
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Jul 28, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Most organisations do it
Vice president is an example of organisational seniority, not role seniority. For example you might have a President of Commercial Operations, then have your commercial division split into three or four sections, with each run by a VP.
by eltharion_doa on Jul 28, 2010 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions
in your example you still have a president
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Jul 28, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The Magic had a president too
It was Dick DeVos.
by eltharion_doa on Jul 28, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
These guys will keep it entertaining for us for years to come.
Congratulations to coach Van Gundy and Smith.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
Does this mean there will be an assistant GM hired? What exactly is the difference between Otis’ two titles?
"Where do you go from here, Dion?" "I go to Toronto."
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
a pay raise
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Jul 28, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Extending SVG a no brainer
Extending Otis and promoting him…….no brains. The guy has fallen ass backward into success.
I feel the same way
DH was here when Smith was hired and we have an ownership group that is willing to pay whatever is necessary for us to win. The agreed completely with that GM rankings article awhile back. I believe Otis was middle of the pack and that is exactly right. He makes good moves and makes some downright terrible decisions. He is an average GM IMO.
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Jul 28, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
DH12 love to play for SVG..................
One of the reason to extend SVG contract was that DH12 love to play for him, besides the great job that he (SVG) has done so far; is also important to keep your superstar happy, because with just Dwight saying " I do not like play for him" I am very sure the the Magic would never extend his contract.
I wonder how hard it was for Ben to find a picture of Stan smiling...
ORL★NDO M★GIC
-SEMINOLES-;;-►
by Wally Balls 407 on Jul 28, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions
It's photoshopped
Honor is no substitute for victory.
It's actually a little...creepy...
Maybe it’s just because I’m used to Grumpy van Gundy, but the more I look at that picture, the more it weirds me out.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
It is a little creepy. I think it’s because he looks genuinely happy.
ORL★NDO M★GIC
-SEMINOLES-;;-►
by Wally Balls 407 on Jul 28, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
It's actually Ron Jeremy
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
"I thank my teammates for letting their men blow by them." - Alonzo Mourning after winning the DPOY award
ROFLMAO
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
"I thank my teammates for letting their men blow by them." - Alonzo Mourning after winning the DPOY award
by NC Magic Fan on Jul 28, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I like van Gundy, but I'm sticking with that picture being creepy
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Especially with his hands in his pockets in a mysterious way
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Only thing lookin' more bizarre than that smilin' SVG photo is this
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
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