I Had Nothing To Do With Stan Van Gundy Getting Fired, Says Guy Who Had Something To Do With Stan Van Gundy Getting Fired

Jeff Van Gundy was recently interviewed by Stephen A. Smith and the world did not, in fact, go collectively deaf. What's more, we learned that Jeff Van Gundy thinks the Magic and Dwight Howard are full of shit with regard to his brother's employment status. He saved his most pointed comments for Alex Martins, however.

... 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 [sic] 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 then chimed in to—obviously— TMZ. They tracked down the big man in L.A. as he rehabbed from back surgery. He gave some of the most disingenuous and well-rehearsed responses to questions this side of the last time he awkwardly spoke in front of cameras. There's video, too. Go ahead and watch him rock back and forth and look into the dark recesses of his mind to recall those talking points as he tells you "'I'm glad [Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins] confirmed I had nothing to do with it.'" And then there's this:

"I hate to see anyone lose their job," Howard told TMZ Thursday morning. "Me and Stan ... we had our ups and downs ... but for the most part we had one goal ... to win a championship in Orlando, but we fell short."

"I'm glad he confirmed I had nothing to do with it." Are you serious, Dwight? What are you, some paralegal waiting—oh my god just waiting—for this confirmation to come through so you can close your file and go home? As Jeff Van Gundy implied, this is a crock. Just admit it's a crock and let's all move on.

Say listen we fired this guy because we know this [sic] 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.

Image via Getty Dwight Howard I'm NOT to Blame for Van Gundy's Firing [TMZ] Dwight Howard: No role in Van Gundy's firing [Freep] Jeff Van Gundy has Stan Van Gundy's back [USA today]