Speculation no matter how much water it holds is always great fodder for journalist (talking heads, shock jocks and anyone with a platform) to talk about and Stan Van Gundy vs. Michael Wilbon is no different.

The Magic went through the Bobcats and Hawks like they were the practice squad and then hit a hot team in the Celtics, now could Van Gundy be out as head coach if they lose this series? Wilbon thinks so; he had this to say on his radio show

“I’m not one of those guys who likes to pound on Stan Van Gundy. I thought he got completely hosed in Miami. … I think there are things that Stan does very well. I think he was sabotaged in this case by the trading — not the trading but the letting go to free agency — of his best offensive player (Hedo Turkoglu)… I think that Stan probably will be fired (if Magic lose to Celtics). I don’t know how you fire him. I really don’t … I’ve already heard the rumblings that he will be fired if they don’t win this series.”

In all fights there are two sides and the very vocal and funny Van Gundy had this to say during Wednesdays shoot around (Thanks Fanhouse)

“No. 1, I’m not worried about my job security, and I’m even less worried about what Michael Wilbon would think about anything,” Van Gundy said. “He’s just … a talking head. I have refused to be on PTI (Wilbon’s television show) for years, for five years. I follow that stuff. If you go on guys’ shows, they don’t criticize you. If you won’t go on their show, they do. That stuff is never known. There’s a lack of integrity in that business.”

Then in every good fight there has to be more attacks and here is Wilbon unleashing more furry.

“He may want to check his facts first before he shoots off his mouth. He can criticize me, I’m not above taking it publicly, but he may want to get his facts straight,” he tells the Orlando Sentinel

This shouldn’t be a personal situation, in most of these rants people in Van Gundy’s shoes tries to pull the “ he never coached card” and he didn’t.  Which would have even added to this situation.

What industry are both these men in, entertainment. Wilbon is a talking head that is very credible but has one concern and that is stirring the pot to get ratings and this covers that.

I don’t know why Van Gundy took it so personally especially because his team expects more then losing in the conference finals for this years Magic team.

The coach always gets blamed for his team’s shot comings; right or wrong its true and Van Gundy is no different.

Both of these guys are very entertaining and have added to an NBA postseason that has been hungry for stories.

The fact is that Van Gundy is a decent coach and Wilbon is a great basketball writer and both might have over reacted in this situation. I find it laughable that Van Gundy would say that Wilbon doesn’t criticize people who come on his show because if that were the case he wouldn’t be able to have an opinion on much.

Van Gundy views journalists as a necessary evil and would rather not have them but he has to remember that the fans get their info from them and he needs them to support his profession.

This just benefits the fans when to important parts of the game have passion and trust in their abilities in what they do.