Van Gundy Downplays Heat-Magic Rivalry

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 23 (AP) -- Stan Van Gundy knows the Miami Heat better than almost anyone. He worked there under Pat Riley for 12 years, improved the team by 34 wins in two seasons as head coach and barely missed an NBA championship appearance.

He even stayed after Riley retook the reins and won it all.

But now Van Gundy is coaching the Heat's Southeast Division rival Orlando Magic, and his former mentor is in the way. The two compete in the regular season for the first time Saturday, though Van Gundy says it doesn't feel different.

"When we played them in the exhibition season, it was nice to see some of the guys I worked with and kind of wave at them, but there were no real emotions there,'' he said.

Van Gundy learned at Riley's knee, serving six years as top assistant before getting the chance to be head coach of Miami in 2003, while Riley continued as Heat president. He lasted just over two seasons before resigning 21 games into 2005-06, when Riley returned to the sideline.

Both sides insist the decision was mutual, and Van Gundy hasn't wavered on the issue since leaving the Heat. But it was a peculiar parting - at 112-73, he is still has the franchise's best winning percentage.

Their teams now are headed in opposite directions. Orlando's acquisition of Rashard Lewis and Van Gundy's freewheeling, up-tempo style have quickly turned it into an Eastern Conference contender. The Magic handed Boston its first loss of the season, and have won consistently on the road and hold a comfortable Southeast Division lead.

Meanwhile, Riley's Heat are at the bottom. The franchise suffered its first winless preseason, and didn't get much better when games started to count. With Dwyane Wade recuperating from offseason shoulder and knee surgery, Miami dropped its first five. It got so bad that after a 91-76 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, Riley suggested he suit up.

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source : NBA.com