Dwight Howard Did Not Ask For Stan Van Gundy To Be Fired, Otis Smith Says

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith addressed the lingering feud between Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy on Saturday, taking a more firm stance on the situation. In an interview with ESPN, Smith placed blame at the feet of both Van Gundy and Howard, saying the former was wrong for making the situation public and the latter was wrong if he asked for his coach to be fired.

Notice the "if" in there. It's there because Smith said he had no knowledge of Howard asking for Van Gundy to be fired.

"He never asked me; I didn't have that knowledge," Smith said.

A bit odd that everyone has reported Howard wanted his coach fired while the team's general manager shrugs and says "I don't know." But alas, that's where the situation stands, and it may not matter.

Smith wasn't exactly itching to confirm Van Gundy would be around long-term, which also shouldn't be a surprise.

Smith also confirmed Saturday that Van Gundy will coach the Magic through the rest of the season. But when asked if Van Gundy will return next year, Smith was less sure.

"Don't have the answer for that," Smith said. "I don't have the answer to who's going to be on our roster, either."

It still seems like a matter of time before Van Gundy is shown the door, but things can change in a hurry, as we've seen before with the Magic saga.