Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy Named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month

AP Photo/Morry Gash

Orlando Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy has been named the Eastern Conference Coaching of the Month. Phoenix Suns Coach Alvin Gentry won the award for the Western Conference.

Van Gundy has had to overcome a lot of adversity in this young season. Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, Marcin Gortat, and Vince Carter missing time due to injuries and/or sickness. Rashard Lewis missed the season’s first 10 games due to his suspension. Dwight Howard has been plagued by foul trouble. Jameer Nelson is still out after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Yet, Van Gundy has the Magic atop the Eastern Conference at 14-4.

Congratulations to Coach Van Gundy.

Here’s the official word from the Magic:

ORLANDO’S STAN VAN GUNDY AND PHOENIX’S ALVIN GENTRY NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE MONTH

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2009 – The Orlando Magic’s Stan Van Gundy and the Phoenix Suns’ Alvin Gentry today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.

Van Gundy guided the Magic to a 14-4 (.778) record, tops in the Eastern Conference. The Magic recorded key road wins over fellow Eastern Conference powers Boston and Atlanta, amassing an 8-2 record away from Amway Arena. Orlando has won six straight road games, one shy of equaling the franchise record. The Magic rank in the top five defensively in opponents offensive rebounds allowed per game (1st), opponents assists per game (1st), points allowed (4th) and opponents field-goal percentage (5th).

Gentry led the Suns to an NBA-best 14-3 (.824) mark. The Suns are the NBA’s lone remaining team with an undefeated record at home (6-0). Phoenix’s typical high-octane offense is in effect, with the Suns passing the century mark in all 17 games this season, allowing them to climb 11 games over .500 for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign.

Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Mike Woodson, Boston’s Doc Rivers, Cleveland’s Mike Brown, Denver’s George Karl, Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks, Portland’s Nate McMillan and Sacramento’s Paul Westphal.

(Andrew Melnick Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor at NFL Mocks Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)