What they're saying: Van Gundy vs. Howard

TNT’s coverage of the NBA on Thursday night included the New York Knicks’ 96-80 victory over the Orlando Magic. As might be expected, the topic of Magic coach Stan Van Gundy’s confirmation and center Dwight Howard’s denial of a report that Howard had sought Van Gundy’s firing came up during the game's telecast as well as on the Sprint Halftime Report:

Game analyst and former NBA coach Mike Fratello, on the possibility of Van Gundy’s being fired before the end of this season: “You’re at such a difficult time, the fifth spot in the playoff position, with a dozen games left. What do you do? Make a change with 12 games left? Who are you going to bring in—one of the assistant coaches? Can you improve your position (in the playoffs) or do you know that you have one of the premiere coaches in the NBA?”

Magic GM Otis Smith, interviewed by reporter David Aldridge, on Van Gundy and Howard: “Coaches and players have been doing this forever. It will have to work out for the remainder of the season and we’ll have to see where both of them are at the end of the season. I talked to them both and we had a nice conversation. I talked to them both and they both listened.”

Fratello, on the Magic defense when Howard isn’t in the lineup: “Dwight Howard affects so many parts of your defense. Stan Van Gundy said, ‘It all starts with guarding the basketball (on the perimeter) and we don’t guard the basketball. That’s why people blow by us.’”

Charles Barkley, on the Van Gundy-Howard controversy: “We don’t know what’s true…I don’t think Coach Van Gundy should have spoken out right now. And I don’t think Dwight Howard should’ve asked to have his coach fired. But I have a serious problem with somebody in management…who had a private conversation with Dwight Howard to leak that to Coach Van Gundy.”

Kenny Smith: “I don’t understand the relevance of him (Van Gundy) bringing it out. What is being accomplished?

Shaquille O’Neal, on how Van Gundy handled the situation: “Private conversations should never be brought public. It was a bush league move by Stan Van Gundy. He’s lost his team forever now.”

Fratello, on how the Magic front office can handle things moving forward: “The front office management for the Magic can do one of two things—support Stan Van Gundy and let this team know he’s going to be the coach. He has one more year left on his contract and you could add another year to his contract—extend it—or make the decision now that people feel is inevitable and let him go. Don’t let (Van Gundy) suffer through if his star doesn’t want to play for him.”

Barkley, on the Magic’s effort vs. the Knicks: “The Orlando Magic quit. That was one of the least inspired … you should just try and compete.”

O’Neal, on the loss of respect from the Magic players for Van Gundy: “You don’t have to like your coach, but you have to respect them. Now the respect is gone in Orlando. The respect is all the way gone.”

Barkley, on what’s next for the Magic: “There is going to be a fog over that team. They can’t play anymore for Coach Van Gundy. There is going to be so much drama. Fans can be cruel. Players won’t listen, and it’s sad because he is a good coach.”