Views: 2678
Comments: -2

05:33 AM ET 04.01 | An on-line reporter who regularly covers the Magic maintained Stan Van Gundy's exit had nothing to do with Pat Riley and everything to do with Shaquille O'Neal, who didn't appreciate being jerked in and out, especially in the pivotal minutes of tight games. "Shaq often disrespected Stan," the reporter disclosed. "Sometimes it was done playfully. More likely it was meant contemptuously." And it was loud enough so everyone could hear - teammates, the media, courtside fans, anybody within earshot. That season, while on the inactive list, Shaq was making snide and insensitive comments on the bench and during timeouts. The senselessness of trying to coach Shaq was not lost on Van Gundy. What rubbed him the rawest? It may very well have been the nickname. Nobody's more adept (mocking) at branding people, including himself. According to the reporter, Shaq would refer to Van Gundy as porn star Ron Jeremy, whom he strongly resembles, at least from the neck up.