[vincesanity82]

Billy Donovan is out in Orlando, and his cold feet could cost both him and the Magic. The Magic finally let Donovan out of a $5.5 million annual deal late Wednesday night after news broke days ago he was having second thoughts. Donovan may have stained a good reputation built on two straight championships at Florida. "I have had and will continue to have the highest respect for the Orlando Magic, its organization, and its ownership," Donovan said in a statement. "I realized in less than 24 hours after signing a contract with the Magic that I had made a mistake that had nothing to do with the Magic. Instead, I realized that, in my heart, I belonged in college basketball. As soon as I realized that, I contacted the Magic immediately to let them know.


So, do you think florida will want him back, im sure any other college team will jump at the opportunity to sign him..

FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Donovan officially released from Magic contract

[Lefty Noob]

He'll go back to Florida, start winning and this whole thing will blow over for him. But Orlando looks terrible coming out of this. They need a big hire and they need that coach to have a lot of success, because this absolutely comes off as embarrassing to them.

[azrael492]

I think they made a mistake hiring Van Gundy. If they needed a big name, they grabbed the wrong guy. He lost in the playoffs then the next year he is fired and the heat win it all. Not a way to inspire confidence in Orlando fans.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I think they made a mistake hiring Van Gundy. If they needed a big name, they grabbed the wrong guy. He lost in the playoffs then the next year he is fired and the heat win it all. Not a way to inspire confidence in Orlando fans.

Well, the got their guy fast. That's good, at least. But Van Gundy isn't the slam dunk Donovan was, and they had to give up a 2nd round draft pick to get him. It certainly looks like speed was the primary factor, though let's not forget that the only reason Van Gundy was replaced was because Riley wanted to take all the glory for himself.

[Basketball News]

Orlando Magic Statement on Billy Donovan: "As our signing of Billy Donovan showed, we are committed to winning a championship. We have the legal right to hold Billy to the contract he signed, but with him having a change of heart about leaving college basketball, we want him at the University of Florida. We have granted him permission to break his commitment and return to the Gators."

Magic Grant Donovan Permission to Break Contract