Report: Dwight Howard Wanted Brian Shaw or Michael Malone to Coach Orlando

Well, we found out that Dwight Howard wanted Stan Van Gundy out of Orlando, so perhaps it was just a matter of time before we found out who Dwight wanted to replace his (still current) head coach. His requests? Pacers assistant Brian Shaw or Warriors assistant Michael Malone, according to a report from Bright House Sports Network. More from BHSN: “Multiple sources close to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard told Bright House Sports Network’s David Baumann that prior to the season, Howard indicated that he preferred the Magic would have hired Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw or Golden State Warriors assistant coach Michael Malone to replace current Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy. Magic assistant coach Brendon Malone is the father of Warriors assistant Michael Malone. ‘No, Michael was never asked,’ the elder Malone said, when asked recently if his son had any contact with the Orlando Magic about coming aboard this offseason. ‘But, he’s a great young coach and there are a lot of teams that want him.’ BHSN has learned that a discussion of a hypothetical head coaching change took place between Howard and recently resigned Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide, however, no offseason coaching change was made, which led to part of Howard’s growing frustration with the team. A phone call to Vander Weide was not immediately returned. ‘Dwight has nothing to do with the coach situation,’ according to Kevin Samples, Howard’s manager. When asked why a coaching change wasn’t made after the Magic were bounced in the first round of the playoffs last season, Samples said, ‘That’s a great question. You’ll have to ask Otis (Smith).'”