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Stan Van Gundy Would Like You To Know That Michael Wilbon Has A Conflict Of Interest

The Orlando Magic are in a tight spot. They are down 3-1 to a team that looks hungrier, more experienced, and better-coached than they are. Often times throughout their playoff series with Boston, they have appeared both confused and timid, two issues that are compounded by the fact that they were favored by many to win this series.

This is a fact that is not lost on the media.

The Magic, as one might expect, have been blasted in papers and on TV for everything from their apparent lack of preparation to their perceived lack of manhood. And they are starting to show signs that these jabs are getting to them.

First there was Jason Williams’ F bomb fun party, then Howard’s unnervingly subdued post-game interview following Game 4. Now comes this, a Stan Van Gundy vs. PTI dustup that has him making blanket statements about the integrity of sports media as a whole. Courtesy of Jason McIntyre at The Big Lead:

Earlier this week, [Michael] Wilbon said on the radio that there were “rumblings” SVG would be fired if the Magic lost to the Celtics.

These comments didn’t sit well with Van Gundy, who thinks his lack of face time on “Five Good Minutes” has something to do with it:

“I’ve refused to be on PTI over the years. Look, I follow this stuff. If you’re on guys’ shows, they don’t criticize you and if you won’t go on their shows, they do [criticize you]. That stuff is never made known. There’s a lack of integrity in the business … He’s certainly not an expert in my business and I’m not going to worry about it too much.”

Now would be the pertinent time to point out that conflicts of interest can sometimes work in ones favor. Such is the case with Van Gundy and his brother, Jeff, who admits that he feels for his brother while watching this series.

[The Big Lead via The Orlando Sentinel]