Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy announced during a press conference on Thursday that star player Dwight Howard wants him gone and has repeatedly asked for the coach to be fired throughout the season.

“I bet we have at least one person here who has an issue with their boss…and still works very hard and does a very good job,” Van Gundy said. “It’s how people approach their job and go out an do it on the floor…you’re playing for your teammates. That’s what matters.”

While he says the news came “right from the top”–in other words, management–and that he knows it’s true, Howard denies saying it and even jumped in during the press conference to say so while throwing a casual arm around Van Gundy’s shoulders, causing an awkward and very tense moment.

Howard says the team’s main concern is winning and that “all the other stuff should stop”, meaning rumors and the drama that has swirled around the team recently, including Howard signing a contract to stay in Orlando through 2013 after a flurry of trade rumors.

As of now, there has been no talk of Van Gundy leaving the team.