Dwight Howard ready for a “new” Stan Van Gundy
"I sat down with Stan this summer..."
Stan Van Gundy coached the Orlando Magic to eight straight wins at the start of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. That was followed by 3 straight losses to the Celtics. He went from a revered genius to a guy who had "lost his team" in the span of a week. Chris Webber added fuel to that fire when he claimed Magic players told him Van Gundy was being tuned out.
Orlando fought back to take the next two games from Boston before bowing out, allowing the franchise to save face and the coach to save his job.
Now, Dwight Howard is subtly adding credence to the concept that Van Gundy needed to amend his "style" to reach the team, telling Sporting News Radio about his coach:
"We've gotten a lot better. I sat down with Stan this summer and we had a great talk. He realizes that me and him have to have a good relationship in order for our team to be great. Him and the star player have to be -- all the captains -- have to be on one accord."
"So me and him had a great talk and we're looking forward to next season. Looking forward to a new Stan and a better Dwight."
What does Howard specifically mean by a new Stan? You're going to have to wait for someone to ask a proper and obvious follow up question about that since it didn't happen in this interview.
As for a better Dwight, he says Hakeem Olajuwon is helping him with his game this summer.
If Howard can develop the "Dream Shake" into the "Super Shake," I don't care how many bearded ladies join the circus in Miami. The rest of the league is screwed.
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