NBA Rumors: 6 Coaches Who Would Appease Dwight Howard

Yesterday was just another day in the Dwight Howard saga.

Considering the circus he’s turned the Orlando Magic into this season, Thursday was quite the mild day. All that happened was word leaked from the front office that Howard wants head coach Stan Van Gundy to be fired, according to ESPN.

Naturally Howard denied that, but the one thing that can’t be denied is that Howard and the rest of the team have quit on their coach after another less than spectacular effort in a 96-80 loss to the New York Knicks—the fifth consecutive defeat for Orlando.

It’s clear that the Howard-Van Gundy relationship is beyond repair, but what coach could come in and appease Howard?

It has to be a guy that’s low on discipline and accountability. It also can’t be a guy with a dominant personality and would have no issue with Howard’s behavior and pretend leadership.

There aren’t many of those guys out there, but let’s take a look at some possibilities.

Mike D’Antoni

D’Antoni has experience with a team quitting on him, as it happened to him with the Knicks just about a month ago.

He’s never been big on discipline and tries to avoid confrontation, which should make Howard happy. But he’s a good coach who can still do some good things in the NBA.

Nate McMillan

McMillan has had to deal with all types of personalities during his tenure in Portland, but has always been viewed as a player’s coach.

He will get another NBA job and could be a great fit in Orlando.

Flip Saunders

Saunders has had his moments in the NBA and eventually some team will come calling. It didn’t go good for him in Washington, but prior to that he took teams to the playoffs in 11 of 12 seasons on the bench.

Give Saunders the right talent and he’s proven he can win in the NBA.

Brian Shaw

Shaw was passed up for the Lakers job in the offseason, and it won’t be long before he’s an NBA head coach.

If he’s waiting for the right situation, it could be Orlando, with a dominant big man already in place. But with Howard’s future uncertain and all of the drama in Orlando, it might not be the best first coaching job to take.

Jerry Sloan

Sloan would probably get back into the game with a chance to finally win a championship, and he’s got experience coaching great big men.

Howard would have to listen to Sloan. All he does is have 1,221 wins on his resume.

John Calipari

This is a reach, considering Calipari said he has no interest in the NBA.

But, his stock is high after leading Kentucky to a national championship and he’s got experience coaching kids, which is exactly what Howard has acted like all season.