Stan Van Gundy
59Stan Van Gundy and Magic players.
Stan Van Gundy's apology... necessary?
Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic apologized to his fans about the non-magic line-up on Thursday. I, however, do not think it was necessary. It was a pre-season game against the weak Charlotte Bobcats.. and with the players who do not normally start - they still won 86-73!
Stan stated: "I want to say I'm sorry, and I was wrong...I thought I had reasoned it through (in my mind), but I can't justify it. If it was the first game that somebody came to see, you bring your kids. ... I'd be upset, too. I won't do it again.''
He didn't use any of his five starters,including the top three: Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis (previous two pictured above). I believe Van Gundy did this just to rest them, who in their right mind wouldn't do that?!
Instead, he gave his second unit - Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, Chris Duhon, Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat - a chance to work as a team and win a game.
The fans blew up, however, stating that they paid good money to see their stars and they didn't get to at all. Van Gundy replied stating "It's a legitimate gripe....I understand if people are upset.''
I, on the other hand, think since pre-season tickets are cheap - fans of the Magic should understand and should expect that at a pre-season game, maybe not the first, I get it, but still... give the guy a break.
I normally dislike Van Gundy's style of coaching, but this however, I agree with, and I feel I would have done the same thing if I was the Magic Coach.
From a girl who loves her basketball,
Thanks for reading, xoxo
Kirsten Lunt.
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It smacks of selling a product under false pretenses. Had they announced prior to the game that the starters were going to sit it's possible they would not have sold as many tickets. Did they consider this and then make the decision to prioritize cash flow?
Not everyone is sophisticated enough to know it's buyer beware in the preseason.
It's just devils advocate. I think it's cool that you are so into basketball.
I understand the whole selling under false pretenses point that you brought up but I believe the coach is not connected with ticket sales. Fans should go to the game to watch the Orlando Magic win a game, not just the five starters... I do agree that they should have announced prior to sales that the starters would be resting, but no teams in any sport really do that, except for when baseball stars are resting due to injuries (or when you see the line-up the day of). When I go to a baseball game and my favorite player is resting, I have a right to be upset, OR IF ALL OF THE NORMAL STARTERS ARE NOT PLAYING, but as a true fan of the sport, I am just happy to see my team play. :)
I just knew you were a reasonable person! Sorry for the double posting of my comment....
Oh it is okay. (:
Apology Necessary or Not?
Did Stan Van Gundy NEED to apologize to the fans of the Orlando Magic?
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The Suburban Poet Level 7 Commenter 19 months ago
It smacks of selling a product under false pretenses. Had they announced prior to the game that the starters were going to sit it's possible they would not have sold as many tickets. Did they consider this?
Not everyone is sophisticated enough to know it's buyer beware in the preseason.