Stan Van Gundy Says Dwight Howard Wants Him Fired, Coach Likely Done with Magic

For a while, there has seemingly been a lot of tension between Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard. On Tuesday, WKMG Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore reported that Howard tried to have Van Gundy fired.

Now, the Magic head coach has confirmed the story.

Prior to the Knicks/Magic matchup on Thursday night, Van Gundy told the media that Magic management told him that the star center asked that he be fired.

According to Pingalore, sources have told him that Orlando's coaching staff will have to be fired in order for Howard to sign a contract extension with the Magic.

After Van Gundy met with the media, it was Howard's turn.

When Howard was told that someone confirmed the story about him asking for Van Gundy's dismissal, he asked who the source was, not knowing it was his own coach. Howard reportedly was seen giving Van Gundy a hug before being peppered with questions about his coach's job status.

Many people close to the NBA think this will mean the end of Van Gundy in Orlando.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News tweeted, I think there is a 70 percent chance that Patrick Ewing makes his coaching debut tonight. Ewing is an assistant coach for the Magic.

ESPN's Marc Stein is convinced Van Gundy's time in Orlando is up. Orlando's gonna fire SVG and still be forced into dealing Dwight eventually, he tweeted. Shoulda traded Dwight to ensure keeping one of their two stars.

After much speculation that Howard would be traded during the season, the center agreed to stay with Orlando through the 2012-2013 Season.

Van Gundy has been the Magic's head coach since 2007.