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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jim Rogash/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim Rogash/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best coach/player pairing in Orlando Magic history: Stan Van Gundy & Dwight Howard

Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard had an explosive ending to their partnership. Regardless, these two went on one of the most underrated runs of all-time.

Prime Howard was a different beast. Averaging 20.6 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in the five seasons he played under Van Gundy, Howard became a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

These two accomplished their most memorable feat in the 2008-09 season when the Orlando Magic reached the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. Knocking off the reigning champion Boston Celtics as well as the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando was only stopped due to a red-hot Los Angeles Lakers team who had Kobe Bryant at the peak of his powers.

With the Magic, Van Gundy had four straight seasons of 50+ wins. He notched four Coach of the Month Awards and was widely regarded as one of the NBA’s best basketball minds. Had it not been for some health and personality issues with Howard, this duo could have dominated for quite some time.

Looking at where Dwight is now, many wish his time in Orlando didn’t end so abruptly. Injuries and a poor mentality truly derailed the career of a potentially all-time great center.