Report: Scott Skiles to be named Orlando Magic head coach

The Orlando Magic appear likely to hire Scott Skiles, former coach of the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks, effectively dooming themselves to mediocrity.

The Orlando Magic are looking to punch their ticket to a first-round playoffs loss, and they appear to be on the brink of making the smartest move yet in order to reach that goal.

Not surprisingly, Skiles will be named Magic coach this wk, I am informed. He was favorite f outset. CEO did PR 4 team when SK starred 4 'em
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) May 25, 2015

Hooray?

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.

More from NBA

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.

It boggles the mind how certain individuals continue to receive chances in the NBA despite their mediocre output. Skiles has a 443-433 record as an NBA head coach, and never has he gone farther than the Conference Semifinals. He has cracked 50 wins once, and hardly inspires major hopes in the future of a franchise.

Yet the sad carousel continues to spin ’round, with Skiles, Lionel Hollins, Randy Wittman, Flip Saunders and Dwane Casey all still finding gainful employment as head coaches. At best, you either get a situation like Casey in Toronto or Wittman in Washington, where there is some strange hope for a championship; OR, you get stuck with Flip Saunders and suddenly you have an opportunity to own the past three No. 1 picks on your roster.

At worst you are stuck with Scott Skiles. Stay strong, Orlando.

More from NBA

Home/NBA