Can Stan? Really?? Maybe We Should Blame it on Kryptonite Instead

After the horrible 4th quarter the Orlando Magic played in their Game 5 series against the Boston Celtics, all hell broke loose. The Magic wasted yet another golden opportunity and are now down 3 games to 2 in this crucial Eastern Conference Semifinal. Superman then proceeded to blast his coach Stan Van Gundy afterward, saying "You've got a dominant big man, let him be dominant". Even more bizarre, the next day, the "Off with Van Gundy's Head" uproar began with "Fire Van Gundy" facebook groups, tweets, articles, you name it.

Wait a minute, did I hear this correctly? Fire Van Gundy? At first I just thought the Orlando fans were just frustrated with that heart breaking loss, understandably so. But as the day went along, I came to the realization that they were not joking, they really wanted this guy out, like before Game 6 begins. With the opinion that this is totally absurd thinking by fans, I took the time to try and process why their fans would feel this way. The conclusion? Sorry Magic fans, your thinking is still totally absurd.

Say what you want, Van Gundy has led you to 52 and 59 wins respectively in his first two years as head coach of the Magic. That comes out to a 68 percent win percentage. When is the last time the Orlando Magic won 59 games in a season? When is the last time the Orlando Magic even mattered in this league? I can't even remember what Lil' Penny looks like anymore (at least I'll always remember how Tyra looks though). The Magic went 40-42 in 06-07, just before Van Gundy took over. That season the Magic made it to the playoffs as an 8th seed, and were quickly swept out of the first round by the 1st seeded Detroit Pistons, but it gave the fans hope that good times were not too much farther away. However, I don't care what anybody says, nobody could have predicted 59 wins 2 years later. That is an improvement of 19 wins in 2 seasons. Remarkable!

Over these last two years under the Van Gundy era, there have been players that have thrived in his system. The first one that comes to mind is Hedo Turkoglu, who has always known as a pretty good player in Sacramento coming off the bench. Now he is a really good player, a starter, and known as a Mr. 4th quarter. Nobody thought he could ever be this clutch. Or how about Rashard Lewis, known as a classic underachiever in Seattle with loads of potential. He fit right into Van Gundy's system and now has made a name for himself as a deadly 3 point shooter with a surprisingly good post game. Maybe JJ Reddick, who, to put it bluntly, was a nobody till the second half of this season. Oh, and this team actually plays defense now, something it has not done for years. Point being, yes Superman opens these guys up, but you have to give the coach credit for knowing his players and putting them in roles in which they can succeed. And there is no question Van Gundy has done just that!

Now lets go back to something that everyone seems to forget, and that is the Jameer Nelson injury. When the country found out that he was going to be lost for the season, we all said the Magic are done. Then the Rafer Alston trade happened, which was a great trade for them, but sorry Magic fans, you are probably still done. The reason you are losing to the Celtics ( I know minus KG) is for two reasons, and the first has to do with the loss of Nelson. The Celtics weakness without KG is their pick n' roll defense, as we all saw in the Chicago series. The Magic are a much better pick n' roll offense with Nelson than they are with Alston. I love Rafer, I think he's a legit point guard, but he can't get Orlando over the hump, plain and simple (theres a reason why Houston was willing to let him go). With Nelson, there is no question in my mind that this series is already over, especially without KG. I understand that Magic fans are frustrated that they can't finish off a Boston team minus KG, but you have to remember the Magic lost their engine in Nelson, which then becomes almost as detrimental as losing KG. Imagine if the Cavs lost Mo Williams, where would the Cavs be now?

Finally I saved the best reason for last. Gotta go back to Superman's quote "You've got a dominant big man, let him be dominant". Sorry to burst the 'S' off your chest Dwight, but lets get one thing straight, you are NOT a dominant big man. You are a dominant dunk artist. You are a relentless rebounder. You are an amazing shot blocker and defender. You play every game like its your last, and we love watching you play, but you are NOT dominant. Dominant players beat you defensively and offensively, and unfortunately, you are only half way there.

Howard has alot of work to do offensively. Right now, he doesn't have many moves in the post. He does have monster offensive nights, but thats when he can use his quickness and strength to get around defenders and dunk the ball. The problem with Dwight is when he goes up against someone that can actually play some defense, aka Kendrick Perkins (gosh I hate him). He can't get around Perkins and Dwight is limited to what he can do offensively. So to blame Van Gundy for not getting him the ball enough at the end of games is a bit unwarranted. By the way, he is also only a 59% free throw shooter, which just adds to his liability at the end of games.

I think people should cut this guy a little slack. He's a great regular season coach. Yes, he has not brought you to the promised land yet and he's a little too hyper sometimes, I understand. But give him more than two seasons to prove it (especially since this year still is not over yet). Van Gundy has had postseason success in the past going back to his days in Miami. He came within one game of the NBA finals. A healthy Dwyane Wade in Game 7 gets him there. And oh, Orlando fans, stop listening to Shaq's whole "Master of Panic" thing, he lost all his credibility when he said his soap opera with Kobe was all a publicity stunt. Give me a break!

So to all you Orlando fans, goodluck in Game 6. Stop blaming the coach and stay away from the kryptonite!