The firing of Avery Johnson by the Brooklyn Nets Thursday morning has already elicited denials of interest by two unofficial candidates.

The agent for Phil Jackson, Todd Musburger, told NBA.com’s David Aldridge Thursday that Jackson is not interested in coaching the Nets.

“Phil has no interest in the Nets job at this time,” Musburger said via text.

ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported Thursday morning via Twitter that the Nets planned to discuss the job with Jackson.

Jackson talked with the Lakers about their head coaching job after the team fired Mike Brown earlier this season, but was later surprised to learn that the Lakers hired Mike D’Antoni instead.

Former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy reportedly has no interest in the Nets job according to a tweet from Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.

According to NBA coaching source, Nets launching broad search that will include call to Phil Jackson to gauge Phil's interest in Brooklyn—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 27, 2012

Stan Van Gundy has no interest in Brooklyn job—
Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) December 27, 2012

Stan Van Gundy criticized ESPN for statements on why he was not hired to join the NBA countdown team. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

Former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy has come out firing against ESPN, the network that not long ago could have been his new employer.

Speaking to Dan LeBatard on The Ticket in Miami, Van Gundy was read a story from The Big Lead that ran this morning. The story cites unnamed sources that said NBA commissioner David Stern personall forbade ESPN from hiring Van Gundy to join the cast of their NBA Countdown pregame show for the upcoming season. In the story, an ESPN spokesman said that while Van Gundy was offered the position, the offer was rescinded after the two parties could not come to an agreement on assignments.

Van Gundy, who has butted heads with Stern in the past, didn’t take too kindly to the news, or ESPN’s statement denying it.

The full statement, as transcribed by The Big Lead, is below.

“No one at ESPN will tell us what happened. Certainly the NBA office isn’t going to tell us what happened. One of the quotes from ESPN in there – we had discussions, but couldn’t agree on a role … as is usual, that’s a bunch of BS from ESPN.

We actually did agree on a role, but then they came back and pulled that. That’s when we knew something was up.

Nobody is going to give a straight answer because … that’s just the way a lot of people operate … nobody there has the guts to say anything, so that’s what you deal with.

What I find fascinating … you have to give David Stern and the NBA a lot of credit … ESPN pays the league, and then the league tells them what to do. It’s more ESPN’s problem. You gotta have no balls whatsoever to pay someone hundreds of millions of dollars and let them run your business.

Just say what happened. Who cares? Who cares if I’m on there or not. Just come out and say this is what we decided and why … [ESPN's quote] that’s just a flat out lie. Why would you do that? I don’t understand. We agreed on something, you changed your mind and pulled the offer. Don’t say we couldn’t come to an agreement. We did.”

Stan Van Gundy and Bill Simmons will reportedly replace Jon Barry and Chris Broussard at ESPN. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and sports media personality Bill Simmons will reportedly become a part of ESPNs NBA halftime show, according to a report Wednesday from The Sporting News.

Van Gundy and Simmons will reportedly replace two of last years hosts, Chris Broussard and Jon Barry. Broussard will report from ESPNs headquarters in Bristol, Conn. while Barry will take on a guest analyst role for the network, something akin to what Jalen Rose held last season. Michael Wilbon and Magic Johnson, who co-hosted the show last season, will remain.

There has not yet been a confirmation of this report from ESPN, but The Sporting News, citing a report from MediaBistro, posted a statement from ESPN in which they confirm that the network is trying to incorporate Simmons and Van Gundy into their programming:

“We are in the process of considering all assignments for both returning and potential new commentator roles,” ESPN spokesman Ben Cafardo told Media Bistro. “As we’ve said before, Stan is someone we’d be interested in exploring. For Bill, same applies, we’re exploring the best ways to utilize all of our talent, including Bill, this NBA season.”

Reports of these hires could be seen as a way for the network to compete with TNTs Emmy award-winning show, Inside the NBA, which is hosted during NBA games by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

Stan Van Gundy said he plans to take next season off from coaching. (Ron Hoskins, Getty Images)

It has been less than a week since Stan Van Gundy parted ways with the Orlando Magic, but speculation has already attached his name to the vacant Charlotte Bobcats head coaching job.

Not so fast, says Van Gundy.

Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News reports that Van Gundy intends to take a year off from basketball, but does plan to return to coaching for the 2013-2014 season. Van Gundy owns a career .647 winning percentage in eight years as a head coach, and led the Magic to a 37-29 record in the lockout-shortened 2011-2012 NBA Season. The Magic made the playoffs in each of Van Gundy’s five seasons in charge, and ended this season with a 4-1 series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

Jeff Van Gundy said on Friday in the wake of his brother Stan’s firing as head coach of the Orlando Magic that team CEO Alex Martins “doesn’t know one thing about basketball.” (David Dow/Getty Images)

Jeff Van Gundy, an analyst for ABC Sports and the brother of Stan Van Gundy, who was fired as head coach of the Orlando Magic on May 21, said on Friday in a radio interview with Stephen A. Smith on 98.7 ESPN New York that Magic CEO Alex Martins “doesn’t know one thing about basketball.”

In the radio interview, Van Gundy took shots at Magic franchise center Dwight Howard and said that Martins should hold off on commenting on firing his brother Stan since he doesn’t know anything about the game:

“To hide behind the fact or try to make everyone believe that Dwight Howard didn’t have a part in this is absurd. Say listen we fired this guy because we know this our best chance to keep Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard and I decided to fire him. To do anything else is playing a game of semantics…and this is the biggest one to me he said that my brother is the finest ‘X and O’ coach he has been around in his 25 years in the business. Okay listen (CEO Alex Martins) all you have done in your 25 years in the business is release press releases and run the business side. You don’t know if a ball is blown up or stuffed. You don’t know if the pick and role coverage on the side is right or wrong. Just say that I have no knowledge about basketball….He doesn’t know one thing about basketball so please hold off your comments on my brothers expertise since you know nothing about basketball.”

Dwight Howard denied having anything to do with the Orlando Magic’s recent firing of coach Stan Van Gundy. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard said he was not involved in the decision to fire coach Stan Van Gundy and his back “is doing a lot better,” according to an interview posted on TMZ.com.

“Me and Stan, we had our ups and downs,” Howard said in the video taken as he walked on a sidewalk. “But for the most part, we had one goal and that was to win a championship in Orlando. And we fell short.”

He added: “I hate to see anybody lose their job…I’m glad (Magic CEO) Alex Martins came out and confirmed that I had nothing to do with it.”

Strains in the relationship between Howard and Van Gundy became public in April when Van Gundy confirmed a report that Howard had asked for him to be fired. Howard denied the claim.

Van Gundy was fired by the team on Monday.

Howard suffered a back injury late in the season that required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the season. He will also be out for this summer’s Olympics. Howard said in the TMZ video that he is “happy with the progress” he has made in his recovery.

Howard has one year left on his contract, and a report yesterday said that the Magic had decided to trade Howard this offseason. Two sources within the Magic organization told the Orlando Sentinel‘s Josh Robbins the report was inaccurate.

On the video, Howard also offered his predication for this year’s NBA champion: He’s taking the Thunder.

The Orlando Magic have announced that both Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith are out as head coach and general manager, respectively.

BREAKING NEWS: on.nba.com/K4WgVf - Stan Van Gundy Relieved of Duties; Otis Smith and Magic Mutually Agree To Part Ways

—
Orlando Magic (@Orlando_Magic) May 21, 2012

Van Gundy was relieved of his duties today by Magic CEO Alex Martins — a somewhat unsurprising development, considering that the coach had clashed all season with superstar big man Dwight Howard, to the point where Howard reportedly demanded his ouster. Van Gundy departs with a 371-208 career record as a head coach, including 259-135 in his five seasons in Orlando. He led the Magic to five postseason berths.

Smith was with the team for a decade — after serving as director of player development for two seasons, he was promoted to assistant GM in 2005 and then GM in ’06. He was promoted to president of basketball operations on July 28, 2010.

“On behalf of the DeVos family, we sincerely appreciate and thank Otis and Stan for all that they have done on and off the floor for the Orlando Magic,” Martins said in a statement. “These are the days you dread in this business, but we feel it’s time for new leadership and new voices.

“They both brought die-hard dedication and an unmatched work ethic on a daily basis. Their success is well documented, as the Orlando Magic has had the fourth best record in the NBA over the last five years, and entering the playoffs this year the third most playoff wins over that period of time. The disappointment of getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs these past two seasons played a primary role in our decision, as we feel our momentum towards winning a championship has paused. We wish Otis and Stan all the best and we look forward to taking the next step towards winning that championship.”

WKMG Orlando is reporting that Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard called team owner, Rich Devos, to inform him that he will not play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore.

Howard is reportedly upset that Van Gundy told the press last month that the All-Star center had asked management to fire the head coach. Earlier in the season Howard appealed to the Magic’s management for a trade, but later signed a waiver that will keep him in Orlando through next season.

Howard recently missed his sixth straight game with a back injury yesterday against the Celtics, and Van Gundy publicly announced that he would most likely miss the rest of the season including the playoffs.

The six-time All-Star was averaging 20.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks prior to his injury.

The Orlando Magic have just six games left in their regular season, and they’re prepared to play them all without Dwight Howard.

“We’re approaching it that the 13 (healthy) guys we have now are who we’re going to have the rest of the season and in the playoffs,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told the AP.

At the moment, the Magic are making do without two of their best players in Howard (herniated disc) and Hedo Turkoglu (facial fracture). Unsurprisingly, they’re in the midst of a free fall, losing seven of their last nine games.

The Magic’s current lineup consists of Glen Davis at center, Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson at forward, J.J. Redick and Jameer Nelson at guard.

“You never know, but that’s who I plan to start the rest of the way,” Van Gundy said.

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy claims that his franchise player tried to get him fired — but according to Otis Smith, the man in the general manager’s office at Amway Arena, Dwight Howard made no such request.

“He never asked me,” Smith told ESPN. “I didn’t have that knowledge.”

Van Gundy, addressing the media at shootaround before Thursday’s game against the New York Knicks, told a throng of reporters that he knew Howard wanted him gone, saying that Magic “management” had notified him of the center’s request. Smith this weekend denied any involvement in talks to oust the coach, and he said both parties were to blame for the disagreement.

“If he did ask he’s wrong, and for Stan to address it in public, that is wrong,” Smith said.

Smith confirmed that Van Gundy would be Orlando’s coach for the rest of this season. The Magic, coming off an 88-82 win last night over the Philadelphia 76ers, are 33-23 with 10 games to go. They currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference.

While it’s easy to assume that Stan Van Gundy will be unemployed in a matter of weeks, the Orlando Magic coach isn’t going down without a fight. Van Gundy said this afternoon that he wants to return next season.

“I don’t have a scenario in my head where I wouldn’t,” Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel. “They’re going to have to make decisions. But I’m a basketball coach and I know this: I don’t want to go anywhere else. I mean, I love Orlando, and this is where I want to be. And I want to coach.”

Van Gundy’s contract runs through 2012-13, but in light of the media fiasco that broke out this week when the coach revealed he knew Dwight Howard wanted him fired, it was assumed the two would part ways. Now, Van Gundy is saying he wants to stay.

It doesn’t appear Howard is going anywhere, either; the superstar big man waived the early termination option in his contract last month, so he will still be in Orlando next season barring a trade. For the moment, it looks like Van Gundy and Howard are stuck with each other.

“I think we have respect for each other regardless of whatever is being said or being put out there,” Howard said. “As a coach, I have the utmost respect for Stan. He’s been a great coach on our team for the last five years.”

Despite the intensifying rumors this week of Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard lobbying for the firing of head coach Stan Van Gundy, it appears that at least for now, SVG is still in charge. From Ken Berger of CBS:

Stan Van Gundy is expected to travel to Philadelphia with team after practice, source says. Status quo as of now for #Magic coach.

—
Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) April 06, 2012

The Magic took a 96-80 beatdown at home last night to the New York Knicks, just hours after Van Gundy had candidly revealed he knew of Howard’s intent to have him fired. Van Gundy, sipping a Diet Pepsi and nonchalantly discussing his job insecurity, said that Magic “management” had told him of Howard’s demands.

Nevertheless, no drastic steps have been taken. Magic GM Otis Smith met with both Howard and Van Gundy yesterday according to numerous reports, and both the center and the coach are expected to be with the team for tomorrow night’s battle with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Van Gundy’s contract with the Magic expires at the end of this season. Howard, however, still has another year left in Orlando, as the superstar big man waived his early termination option at the trade deadline last month.

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy acknowledged that he knew star player Dwight Howard had demanded to management that he be fired, according to ESPN.

“I was told it was true by people in our management,” Van Gundy said Wednesday, according to ESPN.  “They haven’t told me anything, and they don’t need to.” Van Gundy replied when asked if management made a decision to fire him.

Earlier in the week, Magic owner Rich DeVos denied that the center has the power to make those kind of coaching changes.  A day after denying to ESPN’s Chris Broussard in a text message that he wanted his coach out, Howard appeared surprised when informed Van Gundy confirmed that management told him of the center’s demand to oust the coach.  Howard, taken aback, asked reporters to cite the source for the claim, and reporters kept reminding him that his coach had offered confirmation.

Despite the rift between coach and player, the Magic are in playoff position with a 32-22 record, third in the Eastern Conference.  They next face the New York Knicks tonight in Orlando.

Sources close to the Orlando Magic and the NBA have told WKMG Orlando that Dwight Howard wants head coach Stan Van Gundy out.

According to the station’s sports director, David Pingalore, sources claim that talk has been “amping” up in recent weeks and that the probability of Van Gundy being released from his final contract year is very high.

Pingalore claims that, according to a league source, Howard has been telling team owners  to change the coaching staff and that the Magic are already planning to make the move as per Howard’s demand.  Although Magic owner Rich DeVos has denied that Howard does has the power to make those kind of demands, DeVos did tell Pingalore that “We [owners] will make those, but we will let him know what we are making and want his opinion on what fits and doesn’t fit.”

Despite Howard’s pre-season demand to either be traded or be surrounded by better players in order to win a championship, Howard waived his right to opt-out this summer, meaning he will stay with the team through at least next season. Under Van Gundy the Magic are in playoff position with a 32-22 record, standing in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.  This season, Howard is averaging 20.9 points and 14.5 rebounds per game.

Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy alleges that Dallas Mavericks big man Brendan Haywood sucker-punched Dwight Howard in the back on Friday night, but Haywood has denied it, and apparently the NBA powers that be aren’t buying it either. Haywood will not be disciplined, a source tells Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas.

Van Gundy referred to the incident as “really ridiculous” and vowed to have the league review the tape, but Haywood insisted that Van Gundy’s allegations were far from the truth.

“I guess he’s got something no one else has,” Haywood said. “Like I said, it’s a physical game and sometimes guys get testy with elbows thrown, forearms, but no one throws any punches out there. Most of the NBA guys, without a doubt, it’s all WWE to us. We’re fake tough guys. No one throws any real punches. It’s unfortunate Stan feels that way. I know he has to protect his guy, but that’s just not the case.

“No one has any footage of it I guess except him, so unless he had (assistant coach) Patrick Ewing on the bench taping with his iPhone, I don’t think that really happened.”

Howard played 44 minutes in the Magic’s loss Friday to the Mavs, recording 19 points and 15 rebounds; he then missed Saturday’s practice and yesterday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets with — yes, you guessed it — back spasms.

Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood, allegedly, is a very dirty player. Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy claims that Haywood punched Dwight Howard in the back during Friday night’s Mavs-Magic game.

“It’s really ridiculous, and I want to get it on film and send it in,” Van Gundy said today, according to USA Today. “Haywood just punched him literally with a closed fist right in the back.”

Howard missed today’s practice, citing the back. He’s expected to play tomorrow against the Denver Nuggets.

Howard contributed 19 points and 15 rebounds to Orlando’s losing effort, a 100-98 final, against Dallas.

A lot’s been made of the ineptitude of the NBA’s worst teams like the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats and the dazzling skill of college basketball’s elite, the Kentucky Wildcats. But Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says no matter — there’s still no way Kentucky could beat an NBA team.

“Look, it’s absurd,” he told the Associated Press. “I mean, people will say, ‘Oh, Kentucky, you know’s, got four NBA players.’ Yeah, well the other team’s got 13.”

The Wildcats are expected to produce not only the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s NBA draft in Anthony Davis, but also another high lottery selection in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. But Van Gundy insists there’s still no comparison.

“Could anything happen on a one-night thing? I mean, I suppose, you have major upsets all the time. So, maybe, but it’d be rare and in a series it’d be a joke,” the Magic coach said. “It wouldn’t be close. That’s just the way it is. John Calipari’s got a lot of talent; he does not have 13 NBA players. He just doesn’t. And even if those guys all are, they’re all NBA rookies. I mean, when has that ever been a success in the NBA? So, no, they’re not going to win.”