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10:09 AM ET 12.30 | Stan Van Gundy still exchanges friendly text messages with the player who he once claimed wanted him fired. Van Gundy will tell Dwight Howard good luck before a game, or inform the star center that he played well after a solid performance for the Lakers. Howard has sent more than thanks to his former coach. He also passed along some thoughts on his new team's primary shortcoming. "The only thing he's really gotten into was," Van Gundy said Friday in a phone interview, "he wants their defense to be better." Leave it to Van Gundy to deliver a blunt assessment. "I don't think he looks quite as explosive or as quick as he has in the past," said Van Gundy, who coached Howard in Orlando for five seasons before being fired in May. "Now, he's still above almost everyone in the league at that size athletically, but he has not totally looked like himself to me."

Stan Van Gundy, J. Dennis/Einstein/Getty Images

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December 30, 2012 10:27 AM ET

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And You Look Like A Porn Star, Bro.

I Love LA

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December 30, 2012 10:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:27 AM ET 12.30 by I Love LA

And You Look Like A Porn Star, Bro.

whats wrong in looking like a porn star?

HtownTexans

Humble , TX

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December 30, 2012 10:47 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:34 AM ET 12.30 by MMAFan

Nothing wrong with what Stan said. It was a good assessment and not really criticism at all.

Agreed. He is still recovering from that bad back. He is working himself into his usual great shape. We all will see the DH we're used to after the all star break.

Klockwork33

Chicago , IL

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December 30, 2012 10:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:47 AM ET 12.30 by Klockwork33

Agreed. He is still recovering from that bad back. He is working himself into his usual great shape. We all will see the DH we're used to after the all star break.

Or maybe not!

ESPN

Atlanta , GA

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December 30, 2012 11:12 AM ET

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I can't imagine how The Lakers will look like when Howard gets back a 100%. They R regaining there confidence and winning games,that's not good news to the western conference.

TitoLike

Rio Grande , PR

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December 30, 2012 05:49 PM ET

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I don't blame Stan for getting in a few shots...Dwight threw him under the bus.

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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December 30, 2012 10:51 PM ET

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Coach D needs an assessment or breakdown on every player on his roster. Sounds like an assignment for the Laker assistant coaches & staff...

MV_PPL

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December 31, 2012 12:30 PM ET

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If he plays well enough to get and keep healthy and help the Lakers win more games than they lose through the end of the season I'll be happy. Let him save those back wrenching superman efforts for the playoffs, when they really matter.

Atlanta Dan

Mcdonough , GA

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December 31, 2012 12:31 PM ET

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If you give 100% all the time you end up like Rose. By the way, where is he when you really need him?

Atlanta Dan

Mcdonough , GA

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December 31, 2012 07:31 PM ET

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I find SVG's comments very neutral. He simply stated that Howard is not in top shape yet and it's affecting his play. He didn't blame Howard for it.

Neos

Warm Springs , OR

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January 1, 2013 03:58 PM ET

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Not a Stan fan, but this move shows some class. D. Howard & D. Will are finding out that thinks are greener in the other man's yard either & find themselves longing for the old days. One Word: Maturing ..

@ego_boss_320

Brooklyn , NY

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January 3, 2013 09:57 AM ET

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Not quite a Stan Fan either...since I am from Miami...but he is right, DH is not playing to potential...heck, none of the lakers are.

Howard hurt himself by his baby attitude past few years. Its a shame...such promise

ChazThePhoenix

Madison , WI

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January 4, 2013 04:05 PM ET

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SVG and his brother, though grating, are all class. All things considered, you dont see any pettiness in either though Jeff is susceptible to the occasional outburst. He (SVG) understands he has nothing to gain as this likely reflects his non-desire to coach NBA ball again. For all of his scars, you dont see him playing the 'get back' game at all...