Report: Scott Skiles to be named head coach of the Magic
The Scott Skiles rumors have been floating around long enough. Now, it appears they're about to turn into actual fact: Skiles is on the verge of becoming head coach of the Magic, according to Peter Vecsey, formerly of the New York Post:
Luke Dahlgren of Fansided has his own thoughts on Orlando's reported next coach:
Skiles has formerly coached Suns, Bulls and Bucks. He has a 443-433 coaching record in his career, though his greatest basketball accomplishment probably came when he broke the single-game assist record as a player.
Skiles has a reputation for wearing on his players, but he's done a solid job developing young talent throughout his career. If he does end up taking the Magic job this week, Orlando will be hoping that can carry into Florida.
(H/t to Luke Dahlgren of Fansided.)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
This would be Skiles’ fourth stop as an NBA head coach, having previously guided noble postseason losers in Phoenix, Chicago and Milwaukee.
The Magic would seem to need a coach who can make the talent more cohesive and the defense suffocating enough to have a legitimate playoff contender. Yet, with Tom Thibodeau possibly available following another early Bulls playoff exit, they appear set on Skiles.
But this is what Orlando wants. Right now the Orlando Magic are too relevant. They have the fifth pick in the draft; they have a bright future in the backcourt with Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo; and they have a young base of talent to work with.
Hiring Skiles is a sound move to make the Magic less relevant. With him at the helm, they will be jumping between fringe playoff contention and the late lottery every season, picking up low-ceiling role players in the draft and avoiding signing any major free agents. They will disappear into the NBA background like the Denver Nuggets have done recently. Everyone will forget they exist, as they go about the mind-numbing chore of playing mediocre basketball in peace.
