It has been a year and a half since Stan Van Gundy interviewed with the Kings, but as they take on his Magic tonight, it's easy to recall what happened.
June 6, 2007 started with fanfare: The Kings were going to get a coach who was a proven winner. Van Gundy and his wife Kim arrived and were courted by the Kings, and to get a better feel for the town. The day ended with him receiving a Magic contract - faxed to him at a local Kinko's.
Behind the scenes, The Bee's Sam Amick was staking out Van Gundy at the Embassy Suites while Orlando Sentinel sports editor Lynn Hoppes and I were trading updates. With each reply from Hoppes, the story grew more weird.
While Van Gundy was "visiting," the Magic resolved its differences with estranged new coach Billy Donovan, worked out compensation for Van Gundy with the Heat (his estranged team) and made Van Gundy an offer he couldn't refuse.
Van Gundy has since offered contrition, but the incident still leaves a sour taste. In almost 25 years in this business, I've seen some bad coaching matches. I have seen few worse examples of coach ethics as this one.
The problem is, Van Gundy not only used the Kings, he used the Kings' fans as well.
What to surf
www.nba.com/magic/mascot/stuff_court.html: The Magic does have a cool mascot, Stuff.
What to do
NBA: Magic at Kings, 7 p.m., Arco Arena. Can the Kings win two in a row?
What to watch
Men's basketball: Kentucky at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPN. This is one of the game's underrated rivalries.
Monday's results
NBA
• Bucks 97, Wizards 91
• Celts 115, Raptors 109 (OT)
• Nets 103, Thunder 99 (OT)
• Knicks 101, Hornets 95
• Trail Blazers 109, Bulls 95
• Jazz 120, Pacers 113
Today's poll
How would the Kings have fared with Stan Van Gundy as coach?
• Better.
• Worse.
• About the same.
To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.
Weekend poll results
How much will Pete Carril's return to the Kings as a consultant help them:
• They'll turn it around. 15%
• A few more wins. 44%
• No difference at all. 40%
Total votes: 351.
Talk among yourselves
What you're discussing on www.sacbee.com/forums:
• Raiders: Should coach Tom Cable stay?
The last word
What you're saying on the sacbee.com comments:
• "Beno (Udrih) played as a starting PG and Kings won! Coach Natt finally did something right and kept him on the floor!" - pagat77 on "Ball movement key as Kings finally win close game."
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