Denton: Van Gundy Named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
By John Denton
December 1, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Anytime your team is tied for the NBA lead in victories and you are alone atop the conference it’s cause for celebration. But when that team has been through as many injuries, illnesses and drama as the Orlando Magic and is still in that position, it’s particularly gratifying, coach Stan Van Gundy said.
``I take pride in it and I think our players are to be commended for what we’ve done,’’ Van Gundy said Tuesday, after the Magic (14-4) wrapped up preparations for Wednesday’s home game against the New York Knicks. ``You’re 18 games and you just don’t really have time to sit back, reflect and enjoy it. You have to keep getting better.
``But our players have every right to be proud of this start,’’ Van Gundy continued. ``To have 10 road games in, Rashard (Lewis) was out for 10 games, Jameer (Nelson) is out injured, Vince (Carter) missed games and Ryan (Anderson) missed games. And we have 10 different guys who have started at least three games. (Being 14-4) speaks very high of our guys.’’
It also speaks plenty high of Van Gundy, who was named the Eastern Conference’s Coach of the Month for November on Tuesday.
Van Gundy’s Magic are already 8-2 on the road, having won six straight away from Amway Arena. That’s one shy of the franchise record. A chance to equal the record will come Saturday night in California when the Magic face the Golden State Warriors. If they win that game, the record-setter could come next Monday in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
It is the second time that Van Gundy has won the award in Orlando, also doing so last January. Brian Hill (Nov. of 2006) and Johnny Davis (Nov. of 2004) are the only other coaches in Magic history to win the award.
It’s the fourth time in Van Gundy’s coaching career that he won the honor. He won the award as Miami’s coach in December of 2004 and March of 2005.
Van Gundy has harped on the Magic to become a better defensive team and they have responded accordingly of late. Orlando ranks fourth in opponents’ field goal percentage (44.1 percent) and fifth in opponents points per game (93.7 ppg.).
Phoenix’s Alvin Gentry was named the Western Conference Coach of the Month after his Suns got off to a 14-3 start. The Suns are the league’s only undefeated team (6-0) at home. The Magic and Suns play in Phoenix on Dec. 11 in a nationally televised game.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonDecember 1, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Anytime your team is tied for the NBA lead in victories and you are alone atop the conference it’s cause for celebration. But when that team has been through as many injuries, illnesses and drama as the Orlando Magic and is still in that position, it’s particularly gratifying, coach Stan Van Gundy said.
``I take pride in it and I think our players are to be commended for what we’ve done,’’ Van Gundy said Tuesday, after the Magic (14-4) wrapped up preparations for Wednesday’s home game against the New York Knicks. ``You’re 18 games and you just don’t really have time to sit back, reflect and enjoy it. You have to keep getting better.
``But our players have every right to be proud of this start,’’ Van Gundy continued. ``To have 10 road games in, Rashard (Lewis) was out for 10 games, Jameer (Nelson) is out injured, Vince (Carter) missed games and Ryan (Anderson) missed games. And we have 10 different guys who have started at least three games. (Being 14-4) speaks very high of our guys.’’
It also speaks plenty high of Van Gundy, who was named the Eastern Conference’s Coach of the Month for November on Tuesday.
Van Gundy’s Magic are already 8-2 on the road, having won six straight away from Amway Arena. That’s one shy of the franchise record. A chance to equal the record will come Saturday night in California when the Magic face the Golden State Warriors. If they win that game, the record-setter could come next Monday in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
It is the second time that Van Gundy has won the award in Orlando, also doing so last January. Brian Hill (Nov. of 2006) and Johnny Davis (Nov. of 2004) are the only other coaches in Magic history to win the award.
It’s the fourth time in Van Gundy’s coaching career that he won the honor. He won the award as Miami’s coach in December of 2004 and March of 2005.
Van Gundy has harped on the Magic to become a better defensive team and they have responded accordingly of late. Orlando ranks fourth in opponents’ field goal percentage (44.1 percent) and fifth in opponents points per game (93.7 ppg.).
Phoenix’s Alvin Gentry was named the Western Conference Coach of the Month after his Suns got off to a 14-3 start. The Suns are the league’s only undefeated team (6-0) at home. The Magic and Suns play in Phoenix on Dec. 11 in a nationally televised game.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
