:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45640990/usa-today-8317965.0.jpg)
It's rare that you see a head coach go on a tirade against another team, but if it was going to happen good money would be on that head coach being Stan Van Gundy and another team being the Orlando Magic.
Van Gundy was in fine form Friday afternoon when he unloaded on the Orlando Magic for firing Jacque Vaugn. Vaughn was dismissed by the Magic after two season and change for the rebuilding Magic with a winning percentage of just .269. To the casual NBA observer, Vaugn being dismissed by the Magic was unsurprising. But for Van Gundy it's personal.
SVG on Vaughn: "I listened to Rob say it doesn't fall on Jacque and he takes full responsibility and I laugh. Obviously that's not true.."
— Jake Chapman (@JakePistons) February 6, 2015
That would be GM Rob Hennigan. The man brought in after Van Gundy and his friend Otis Smith were fired by the Magic in 2012. Van Gundy had guided the Magic to a 259-135 record in five seasons that saw an NBA Finals appearance.
But Van Gundy and star Dwight Howard didn't get along and the organization chose the player over the coach. Howard would be traded to the Lakers three months later.
So you can understand why Van Gundy has a little residual salt on his shoulder when it comes to the Magic organization. It's why he waited for an opportunity like Detroit's where he would have more control of the team operations and why he consistently talked about bridging the divide between the front office and the floor.
And Van Gundy didn't hold back his contempt for his former employer.
SVG on Magic firing Vaughn: They’re an organization that turns over coaches a lot. I don’t know if anybody coached there longer than I did.
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) February 6, 2015
SVG: "There’s no such thing as a long-time Magic coach."
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) February 6, 2015
SVG: "Jacque gave them everything they wanted so I feel bad for him."
— Jake Chapman (@JakePistons) February 6, 2015
... "He's still sitting there with a job and Jacque doesn't have one. So I don't know what full responsibility means..." -- SVG on Vaughn
— Jake Chapman (@JakePistons) February 6, 2015
"But I would say they left the full responsibility on Jacque."-- SVG lettin em fly.
— Jake Chapman (@JakePistons) February 6, 2015
Ultimately, I'll give Vince Ellis and his followers the last word on this one:
As my mentions point out, that is kinda funny coming from a #Pistons coach.
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) February 6, 2015
Just kidding, I'll have the last word. Since 2007 Orlando has had two coaches. In that same time frame the Pistons have had seven -- Flip Saunders, Michael Curry, John Keuster, Lawrence Frank, Maurice Cheeks, John Loyer and Stan Van Gundy.