Stan Van Gundy wants to be back with the Orlando Magic next season, and he’s saying so definitively.
That’s more than Dwight Howard can say.
In an interview today with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel in the wake of a bizarre series of events that included the revelation that Howard asked management to fire Van Gundy, the coach was asked what he wants to do next season.
“I don’t have a scenario in my head where I wouldn’t (return),” said Van Gundy, who has one year left on his contract.
After the Magic completed their shootaround today, Howard was asked if the three of them are all on the “same page.”
“We have to get on the same page if we plan on making any noise in the playoffs,” Howard told reporters. “We all have to be on the same page.”
Asked if he and Van Gundy can regroup and develop respect for each other, Howard said, “I think we have respect for each other regardless of whatever is being said or being put out there. As a coach, I have the utmost respect for Stan. He’s been a great coach on our team for the last five years. So I don’t think that’s the issue. I think whatever happened, whatever was said, was said. But the only thing we can control right now is tonight.”
For more of Robbins’ story, click here.