So why was Vaughn the chosen one? Although we love the Pasadena, CA native, the one time Orlando Magic player beat out a slew of more qualified candidates that included Phoenix Suns development coach Lindsey Hunter and former Pistons head coach and current 76ers assistant Michael Curry for a once in a lifetime gig.
Vaughn has spent the past two seasons as an assistant at San Antonio, where he also won a championship as a player in 2007.
That is important because one of the qualities the team was seeking in a successor to Van Gundy was a championship pedigree.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is one of the league’s top coaches and has multiple NBA titles. Vaughn also has played under the likes of Doc Rivers, Cleveland coach Byron Scott – both of whom have titles as coaches or players – and former Utah coach Jerry Sloan.
Former Magic player and current television analyst Shaquille O’Neal posted a scathing assessment of Vaughn likely succeeding Van Gundy, posting on Twitter: “Orlando magic is about to hire jock Vaughn over mike Malone or Brian shaw are u kidding me, wow, good luck winning wit Dat team Dwite Howard.”
Malone, Golden State’s lead assistant, and Shaw, Indiana’s associate head coach, also received preliminary interviews and likeVaughn are considered in NBA circles to be rising prospects among the assistant coaching ranks.
O’Neal has friendship ties to both, having played with Shaw as member of the Lakers. He also briefly played under Malone when he was an assistant with the Cavaliers.
Howard reissued his trade demand in Los Angeles last month, singling out the Brooklyn Nets as his desired landing spot.
After recent efforts by Orlando to make that happen fell through, along with possible trades to other teams, Howard has since told the Magic in another meeting that he has no desire to return to Orlando next season for the final year of his contract.
We think Orlando is trying to accommodate Dwight’s trade demands by setting up a scenario where it appears Dwight leaves Orlando no choice but to trade him to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum. Why else would Orlando pass over more qualified coaches and pick an unknown to coach an NBA superstar.
An unknown who would jump at the chance to coach an NBA team under any circumstances; even without a Dwight Howard.
Dwight Howard won’t play for a Jacque Vaughn.
Look for Dwight to be heading to LA sooner than later.
