Boston Super Blog

This may be coming from lowest NBA rumors mill in the world, but reports are surfacing that the Atlanta Hawks are unlikely to retain head coach Larry Drew, whose contract expires on June 30. That comes as absolutely no surprise. The fact that they will pursue former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy comes as very little surprise as well. But rumors surfacing that the Hawks feel that hiring Van Gundy will help them obtain soon-to-be free agent center Dwight Howard is simply mind-boggling.

First off, many things would have to happen for this to occur. Yes, Howard could make more money if he re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers well over the salary cap threshold already, they may have no desire to retain Howard for the next four or five years. They could, however, sign him to a maximum contract and then trade him to the Hawks. That way, the Lakers do not let Howard walk for nothing after trading Andrew Bynum to acquire him prior to this past season, Howard gets the most bang for his free agent buck, and the Hawks get the big man they have been seeking for quite some time.

Everybody wins, right?

But wait. Is it just me, or was there not quite a rift between Van Gundy and Howard in Orlando? Was one not responsible for the ousting of the other? Just thinking back to the interview conducted with Van Gundy when he was talking about his star player, only to have Howard interrupt and attempt to play things cool, all while mocking his head coach.

Did the Hawks forget about that? Could these two really put all of their past differences aside to make it work in Atlanta, where Howard is from, and turn the Hawks into a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference?

Or, will it end just like it did in Orlando with both men, as well as Los Angeles for Howard?

In utter disappointment and failure?

My guess is on the latter.

That is, if it even happens in the first place, about which I also have strong reservations.