Proving that the Magic have not learned one single lesson from the Cleveland Cavaliers' disastrous handling of LeBron James' free agency, ESPN's Ric Bucher reported today that the Magic promised Howard "that they will add a quality player before Thursday's deadline and that Howard can decide the fate of both Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy at the end of the season if he signs an extension."
Dear Orlando, get your collective head out of your collective ass. Stan Van Gundy is maybe the best coach in the NBA, you probably shouldn't fire him. Now Otis Smith should be fired, because he's done a crappy job of assembling talent, not because a moody superstar demands it. If this report is true, then why the hell did we have a lockout? Part of the reasoning behind the new CBA was to prevent this kind of dramatic player-driven power-play. Don't enable him. Trade him now, or play for the title this year and be okay with letting him go. You'll probably win the lottery the following year anyway*.
*You know David Stern will hook up the Hornets this year, and you guys next. That's how this works.
Oh and in case you were wondering what Stan Van Gundy thought of this power that has supposedly been offered to Dwight...
Bravo Stan Van Gundy. Bravo.