When Shaq said that Stan Van Gundy is a choker back in March everybody just chalked it up to Shaq being bitter about being over the hill, as was the case with his comments about Chris Bosh. However, after watching the last 5 games of Magic versus Celtics (not to mention a couple in the Orlando-Philly series), it is very clear that his teams have a serious propensity to blow huge leads.
While part of Orlando’s struggles can be attributed to the team’s style (3 point shooters which can run hot/cold surrounding a big man that can’t make free throws), this team won 59 games and is now gagging in the playoffs. Shaq is quite prophetic and one can’t help but wonder if SVG is the coach you want to get your team into the playoffs, but the one you should replace if you want to get to the finals (a la Pat Riley and the 2006 Miami Heat). Or maybe he’s just the coach you want to enter into a Ron Jeremy look-a-like contest. Or Paul Bearer.
(Update: Even SVG’s own star player thinks his game plan needs work. Ouch.)
2 years ago