Why Orlando Magic Are Better off Parting with Dwight Howard Than Stan Van Gundy

It isn't often that coaches are candid with the media, but Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was refreshingly honest yesterday as he admitted that star center Dwight Howard has been pushing to get him fired.

Despite Howard's importance to the team, he should be the one on the way out, however.

According to Ian O'Connor of ESPNNewYork.com, Van Gundy said he was told by management that Howard was lobbying for his dismissal. The admission was a stunning one, especially with the Magic preparing for the playoffs and looking to make a run in the Eastern Conference.

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I was told it was true by people in our management, Van Gundy said Thursday, just hours before the Magic hosted the New York Knicks. So right from the top.

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After Van Gundy made his comments, Howard walked into the fray and struck up a conversation with Van Gundy. It's quite clear that D12 had no knowledge of what his head coach had just revealed as he proceeded to talk to Van Gundy about how the report was bogus. Van Gundy soon left, and the media peppered Howard with questions about Van Gundy's revelation.

Howard continued to deny any involvement, but Van Gundy obviously wouldn't drop that type of bombshell on the media if it weren't true.

It's no secret that Howard hasn't exactly been Van Gundy's biggest supporter over the past few years, and this situation just affirms that there is a great divide in the locker room that is plaguing the Magic.

Orlando went on to get thrashed 96-80 by the struggling Knicks, as Howard netted a mere eight points. It seems unlikely that the poor performances of Howard and the Magic were coincidental as Van Gundy's comments seemed to rock the team's foundation.

When Howard is on his game, he is the best big man in the league by a long shot.

This season, D12 is averaging 20.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, making him a legitimate MVP candidate. Despite that, with the way he appears to be attempting to micromanage the team, the organization would be much better off dealing Howard than firing Van Gundy.

Although there are differing thoughts on Van Gundy's straightforward coaching style, I tend to think that he is an effective coach.

He manages to lead the Magic to the playoffs every season, and while they don't live up to expectations every year, Van Gundy did bring them to the NBA finals—something that should go unnoticed.

Also, aside from Howard, it isn't as if Van Gundy has had a lot of star players to work with. He has had plenty of decent complementary pieces like Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu, but Van Gundy has largely gotten the job done with Howard and a bunch of interchangeable parts.

There is no doubt that trading Howard would have a more immediate negative effect on the court than firing Van Gundy, but the Magic can't allow Howard to call the shots.

It never seems to end well when players are given the power to decide the fates of coaches, management and personnel decisions, and that seems to be the case with Howard.

Dwight probably feels like the organization owes him for deciding not to opt out of his contract, but there is no guarantee that he won't exercise his right to become a free agent next offseason, anyway.

Rather than go through all the trouble of firing Van Gundy only for Howard to bolt, the Magic should be proactive and trade Howard this offseason.

As good of a player as he is, Howard's selfishness is hurting the team.

It's nearly impossible to get equal value for a player as good as Howard, but Orlando could obviously get some very nice pieces in return and begin to rebuild the team, free from Howard's greedy clutches.

Maybe Van Gundy is somewhat in the wrong for bringing the matter up in the media, but Howard is very unprofessional to try to ruin a man's livelihood and then flat out deny it.

Howard has gotten far too big for his britches, and since he could easily walk next season anyway, the best solution is to send him packing.