As the Celtics prepare to dig themselves out of a 1-0 series hole tonight for the second straight series, Boston sports fans are faced with the reality that their basketball team may be the least talented of the remaining Eastern Conference teams. At full strength, the Celtics could make a case for rivaling the Cavs as the Beasts of the East. Without Kevin Garnett, the Celtics don’t have the defense of the Cavs, they don’t have the size and transition game of the Magic, and they don’t have the athleticism of the Atlanta Hawks. So the C’s will have to rely on championship pedigree — and there are certainly worse traits to possess.

"All your fault!"

One interesting subplot in this series will be the Magic’s ever-growing fracture between the relationship of head coach and star player. We’ve seen mismatched player-coach combinations in Boston. Jimy Williams may never recover from Carl Everett’s volcanic temper. Terry Francona likely says a prayer every day he no longer has to make excuses for Manny Ramirez. Doc Rivers started to fear his eyes would get stuck in the back of his head after Gerald Green’s heat-check 3-point attempts. On the long list of miscast coaches and players in the pro sports world, we can now add Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard.

Van Gundy spent much of the opening-round series lamenting to reporters about his star player’s inability to take over a game. He criticized Howard for being tight at times. He chided his star for being too happy when the situation called for a mean streak. And then he insinuated his team was better off in Game 6 when Howard was serving a one-game suspension. Kudos to Van Gundy for following the Bill Belichick school of thought and airing out all of his grievances through the press. That’s always proven to work wonders.

In many situations, I would applaud a coach for privately challenging his superstar player. But not in this case. Van Gundy has coached winning teams in Miami and Orlando, squeezing every bit of talent out of his role players. Ninety-five percent of the players in the NBA would benefit from having a detail-oriented coach like Van Gundy. Dwight Howard is not one of them.

In Howard, Van Gundy has a sensitive superstar who would rather shake hands than embarrass an opponent. The most talented big man in the NBA thrives on positive reinforcement, and goes into funks when his desire is questioned. In a match made in heaven, he just so happens to have a coach who would win the lottery and then complain about the taxes.

"I don't want this money!"

When Lakers coach Phil Jackson was recently asked which NBA player he’d pick if he was starting a franchise, he chose Dwight Howard. Not Kobe. Not Lebron. He picked the player who has yet to lead his team to similar heights as Kobe, Lebron, Dwyane Wade, or even Chauncey Billups. Phil Jackson knows talent. And he also knows how to motivate players regardless of their mental state. How else can you explain Kobe, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom all playing their best basketball at the same time? Kobe was likely the kid in high school who stole Pau Gasol’s lunch money while Lamar Odom was taking bong hits in the bathroom. Twenty years later, they’re uniting for a common goal.

How will Howard and Van Gundy’s relationship manifest itself in this series? It started in Game 1, when the Celtics charged back from a 28-point deficit. With his team in trouble, Van Gundy repeatedly called timeouts and set up plays for other players besides Howard. Van Gundy’s message: He doesn’t trust Howard to make the big plays at the end of games. That mistrust may be warranted, but isolation plays for Rashard Lewis will not win this series. A better coach would call his best player’s number in crunch time, and the Celtics’ charge would’ve been thwarted before it got to single digits.

Van Gundy’s biggest problem is that his best player hasn’t developed 1-on-1 moves for crunch-time. No other big man runs a fast break like Howard, who runs like a guard and can jump through the roof. No other big man can clean up the offensive glass for the same reasons. But in a half-court set, Howard has yet to develop a reliable low-post move similar to Tim Duncan’s bank shot or Garnett’s 15-footer from the elbow. Perhaps Van Gundy should address this situation in practice before taking his gripes to the post-game press conference podium.

Would Dwight be a different player if Phil Jackson was coaching him? Of course he would. Don’t forget Shaq was strictly a dunk-and-layup kind of guy until he played for Phil, and then he added the one-handed turnaround jumper to his arsenal. Once he had that weapon, he couldn’t be stopped. And the Lakers won three championships.

"I can't wait to get out of here."

In a perfect world for Van Gundy, Howard would earn his stripes this postseason against a Kevin Garnett-led Celtics front court. He’d finally recognize his physical gifts, and he’d average the 30 points and 15 rebounds — numbers Van Gundy seems to expect. But Dwight Howard isn’t there yet. And Van Gundy won’t be the one to take him.

Over the past two seasons, the Celtics have proven to be a team that can identify the flaw in an opponent and expose it over a seven-game series. Maybe the C’s are physically and emotionally spent after a marathon series with the Bulls. Maybe injuries have depleted them to a team that is capable of falling to a 28-point deficit on any given night. But the Dwight Howard vs. Stan Van Gundy relationship surfaced as a problem in Game 1. If history repeats itself, it will surface more frequently as the series progresses. If the Magic fall apart, just don’t expect Van Gundy to take the blame.

16 Comments for “Van Gundy vs. Howard could plague Magic”

1. Mike Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 8:12 am

   Why are you trying to start crap? Is it because the hometown team looks old and vulnerable? Everything you said is complete fiction. Howard likes playing for SVG. Did you interview either of them for your story? Why don’t you go write some cook books or something.

2. You Suck Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 8:52 am

   You’re an idiot. Maybe Stan doesn’t go to Dwight in tight situations because every time the Magic do that the other team automatically fouls Dwight and everyone knows his free throw percentage. Obviously you haven’t been watching Dwight over the past couple of years but he’s been working on a couple new shots he didn’t have a few years ago (the little hook shot he has now) Stan has only been with the Magic for two years and it does take time for a player to develop a new shot. Once again you’re an idiot and try to do some better investigating before you write this crap.

3. Michael Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 9:29 am

   Dear Dan,

   have you ever actually watched a basketball game in your life? You certainly do not appear to have watched many based upon this commentary. Here are some basic facts for you:

   1) Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy have a TYPICAL Coach/Superstar relationship. Dwight wants to do things his way, Stan wants things done his. Now, you can make more mindless drivel (like this entire article) up, or you can simply see last year – Van Gundy’s first year with the Magic. SVG said – openly – “For us to be successful, Dwight has to get better DEFENSIVELY. We need him rebounding and blocking shots.” Now, I realize it will take some actual research on your part prior to posting more of this nonsense but could you do all the faithful readers one small favor and simply Google: “NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 2009″.

   2) The Celtics have NO ONE who can guard Rashard Lewis. Davis is too slow and Scalabrine is, well, Scalabrine. The fact that I have to explain this to you is more evidence that you do not watch basketball.

   3) “He insinuated his team was better off in Game 6 when Howard was serving a one-game suspension.” ROFL. NO, he did not. Several people in the MEDIA did. Andre Miller certainly did. Stan Van Gundy did no such thing. This is what is referred to as ‘mud-slinging’ sir. No more. No less.

   So, let’s review:

   You have no answer for Howard so you make crap up to try and stir the pot.
   You have no answer for Lewis so denigrate his ability to again try and stir the pot.
   You obviously have no journalistic talent or you would be writing something other than ‘fluff’ ‘slam’ pieces in hopes of again stirring the pot.

   All of this leads the faithful reader to one simple conclusion:
   Magic 1. Celtics 0. And you needed to cry about it.

   “There, there Danny-boy. It’ll be alright. I mean it was only 1 game!”

   Now, if the Magic beat the odds and somehow pull out a win on your homefloor (again) tonight – THEN I might suggest you go ahead and book some time with Dr. Phil. Until then, please, do us a favor…save the storytelling to someone more qualified!

   Thanks and have a great Wednesday!

4. Mike Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am

   Ditto!

5. Paul Ego Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am

   Great way to show you have absolutely zero insight into your topic. This type of drivel might work for some of your local readers if they are as ignorant of Dwight and Stan’s relationship as you seem to be, but it fails in all facets of reality to anyone with an inkling of knowledge about the Orlando Magic.

   Dwight is a young budding star who needs someone to push him in his quest for excellence. Any time Stan has chided Dwight publicly, Dwight has responded by focusing, and paying attention to his game, coming out stronger, and demolishing his opponent.

   Dwight is not your typical NBA superstar, Orlando truly won the lottery when they drafted Dwight.

   As far as your comment about Stan not taking the blame if things fall apart, again you show your ignorance. Stan has always thrown himself on the sword for this team. Stan goes to battle for his star in the media, taking the attention off of Howard when Shaq wants to act like a child in the media.

   Maybe if you tried a little harder to actually dig up some real information you could come up with something original, and accurate.

6. David Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 11:06 am

   “Van Gundy spent much of the opening-round series lamenting to reporters about his star player’s inability to take over a game.”

   What? When was that? After Dwight’s 31/16 game or his 36/11 game… or his 24/24 game? I always watch Stan’s post game conferences and I don’t remember him lamenting anything of the sort. Stop making stuff up, it makes you look lazy.

7. Dan Guttenplan Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

   Guys, I apologize. I watch the games, and I never realized Orlando Magic fans would take offense to this. Judging from the empty seats, I always figured you had a weak fan base. You six dudes are certainly the exception.

8. Michael Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

   ROFL…

   Not only is sarcasm the calling card of a weak mind there Danny-boy, but the fact that *any* Orlando people are commenting on a BOSTON sports blog *should* give you some kind of clue.

   Oh, wait. As previously noted, your column already proved you don’t have a clue

   We’re all waiting for your next incredible insight…can almost see the headline now: “Celtics Not The Same Without KG”, followed by a long discourse detailing how we’re only winning because you have no Garnett.

9. Hugh Jainus Says:
   May 6th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

   Magic win again tonight. Write that down!

10. Kirk Minihane Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Listen, Dan, you have to understand that when you have a pair of franchises that have combined for 17 NBA Titles things are going to get a little heated.

11. Hedo For Prez Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Shame on you Dan. You should share the same opinion as everyone who posts comments on this website. I used to compare this blog to “Dan Rather in his prime”, but after this article, you’re more like Steve Langford, Lisa G, and Shule. Burn.

12. Magic Rocks Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    Dan, we certainly do not have the fan base that Celtics have, but we love our team. They are the only pro-sport thing going in this town. I respect your opinion about Howard and SVG, unfortunately for you it is incorrect. It is true that Howard is not at the same level as Shaq once was, but he is already a better man.

13. Your Dreaming Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    Dream on. D12 and SVG are going to make you cry…

14. The Gravy Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    This is the same guy from Orlando posting on various names. Catch the final score of game 2, there guy?

    You people look foolish.

15. LoL Says:
    May 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/4162728

    Now that’s what I call “typical” coach/superstar relation. All I can say to all those posters before me: “OWNED”.

    Good job Dan!

16. Mrs. Seeking For Women Says:
    February 16th, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Lol,I adore Miami Heat! They are the top team in bball! We will never ever see another 3 headed monsterteam like this again! Go Bosh!

Leave a Reply