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Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said the franchise will stick with its longstanding policy of waiting until the end of the season to evaluate the performance of coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith . But Martins added that coaches and players have done an "incredibly commendable job" dealing with the rumors and speculation that have hovered over the team this season. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins 

Both Van Gundy and Smith are under contract through 2012-13. Martins insists that he did not make any specific promises to Howard to convince Howard to waive his early-termination option. "Nothing specific has been pledged," Martins said. "The conversations all centered around wanting the same thing, and that's to win a championship, and the only pledge made is that we will do what it takes to win a championship. "Rumors happen in our league every single day, and coaches and players work through those rumors. I think, as I've said several times, that our coaches and our players have done an incredibly commendable job working through every rumor that we've had this season, every speculation that we've had this season, every concern about whether a specific player would be traded or not traded. For us to have the fifth-best record in the NBA [at the trade deadline] with all that swirling around, to me, is a great testament to our coaches and our players." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins 

A constant presence at every Magic game and practice, he missed several games to be where he was really needed. Cancer had made another visit to the Smith family. Wilbur, 43, five years younger than Otis, had been stricken with colon cancer. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Wilbur Smith 

Otis lost his mother to breast cancer at age 56 and his father, also to colon cancer, at 72. While Otis obviously has the most high-profile job in the family, he admires Wilbur – and not because the two brothers are so much alike. Wilbur works with kids as an administrator at a Springfield, Mass. boarding school. "When he's hurting, I hurt with him. If he's going through it, I'm going through it with him," Otis said. "Every opportunity I get to be with him, I will be with him." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Wilbur Smith 

Although Dwight Howard may be having another stellar season -- headed for his fifth consecutive All-NBA first team honor -- Magic general manager Otis Smith made it clear that he still wants more from him. Smith wants more leadership from his star player, calling him out publically during a local radio show interview Thursday. "Whether he wants the role [as leader], or they want to give him the role, he has the role," Smith said. "There are no ifs, ands or buts about it, and unfortunately, it falls on your best player, and you're going to get from him whatever you're going to get." CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Smith has talked to Howard several times about assuming more of a leadership role, but Howard hasn't always responded. Although Howard usually leads by example -- he has been the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year the last three seasons -- Smith wants him more vocal and holding teammates more accountable. Howard, though, is not confrontational by nature, and he wants teammates to like him, which is not always in the team's best interest. "So whether he wants the role, or not, he has to assume the role. Now, everybody who has the role, it doesn't necessarily mean they know how to deal with the role. But it's his," Smith said. "And he has to learn how to do that." CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Sentinel: Last time you and I spoke for a Q-and-A like this, back in January in Sacramento, I asked you about Stan Van Gundy and his demeanor on the sideline. He still has not recorded a technical foul this season. Is that gratifying to you considering that he often credits you for prompting him to be less demonstrative? Otis Smith: I don't know if I'd measure the change by his technical fouls, because sometimes technical fouls are warranted; a coach needs to get a technical foul sometimes. However, with him and his demeanor on the sidelines and his communication with his players and those types of things, I think those are where I see the most improvement in him. I always say, "We kind of are what we are." And so all we can do is fine-tune some things, and that's all we really talk about: just fine-tuning. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Sentinel: For months and months, one of the first things I and reporters like me would ask you about would be Dwight Howard's future. For now, at least, it seems like the focus is on basketball. Is that a relief? Is it refreshing? Otis Smith: It's about the same. Nothing really changes. You've got to remember I have to forecast beyond what you guys see. It's OK that you guys are shortsighted; so you only see one thing at a time. That's fine. But I have to forecast beyond that. The term "general manager" means something. It means you generally manage all of it. And that's what you kinda have to do. So I think things are going good. I think we're still having to forecast and try to put our team together not only for just this current [season] but moving forward. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Look for Walsh to resurface as a reasonable contender for jobs in Orlando or Washington should Otis Smith be fired and/or Ernie Grunfeld not be rehired. New York Post

Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Donnie Walsh, Otis Smith 

Brian Schmitz: Magic GM Otis Smith has missed last several games to be with his brother, who has been battling cancer. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith 

Evan Dunlap: Per @John Denton, Otis Smith says he has no plans to change Magic roster despite newly avail. veterans in FA pool. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Otis Smith 

Magic executives, including CEO Alex Martins, GM Otis Smith and owner Rich DeVos, were expecting Howard to lead off the conversation Wednesday night -- hours after Howard had informed a high-ranking team official that he wanted to sign the ETO waiver, commit to Orlando and not be traded. But when the Magic officials got on the call, the first voice they heard was Fegan's, according to a person who was briefed on the call. Fegan spoke for about 10 minutes, the person said, informing team officials that Howard was not willing to relinquish his ability to become a free agent after the season. When it was Howard's turn, all he could muster was a plea for DeVos and the Magic brass to "trust" that things would work out. "Then you're watching the game," a person familiar with the chronology of events said, "and you're thinking, 'Oh my God, this is his last game.' " CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Trade, Otis Smith, Alex Martins, Rich DeVos 

John Denton: Said Otis: "Once you make a trade you're looking at 20 games to get acclimated. You have to weigh the risk-reward, and nothing made sense." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Brian Schmitz: Magic GM Otis Smith said he told DHoward "to sleep on it" after Howard said he'd sign papers after plane landed early Thurs. morn in Orl. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Brian Schmitz: Magic GM Otis Smith said club had deals in place if it had to trade Dwight Howard, deals to rebuild or acquire veterans Twitter

Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Henry Abbott: Otis Smith, joking to Dwight Howard about trading him if he didn't commit: "Sorry, we weren't rolling the dice." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

David Baumann: Great back and forth with Otis Smith and Dwight... Otis: "We weren't rolling the dice." Howard: "You had dice in your hand last night!" Twitter

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Royce Young: Dwight on his bad advice: "It doesn't matter at this point." Otis Smith jumped in. "Chicken instead of hamburgers." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith 

Jeff Zillgitt: ORL GM Otis Smith said he doesn't anticipate doing a deal today w/other Magic players. But he also checked his smart phone when he said that Twitter

Orlando Magic, Trade, Otis Smith 

Sean Deveney: Otis Smith, raining on the parade: "We'll let you all talk about Dwight's free agency next year." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Free Agency, Trade, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith