Fansided

5 replacements for Scott Skiles with Orlando Magic

By John Buhler

Oct 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles reacts against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center. Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles reacts against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center. Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman gestures against the Indiana Pacers during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman gestures against the Indiana Pacers during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Randy Wittman

For a third choice type of candidate this late in the coaching carousel, landing a proven NBA head coach of Randy Wittman’s stature wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to the Magic in 2016-17. Wittman had previously done a respectable job coaching John Wall’s Washington Wizards.

While Wittman isn’t more than a top 20 head coach in the NBA, if that, he does offer a handful of things that this young collection of Magic players could benefit from. Wittman is more than capable of leading this talented group into the Eastern Conference Playoffs, something Orlando has not done since former face of the franchise in All-Star center Dwight Howard skipped town after the 2011-12 NBA season.

Wittman’s teams usually play at a slower than average pace, which could prove beneficial to a young Magic team that at times struggles to possess the basketball effectively. His Wizards teams had a good balance between front court and back court scoring options with Wall, Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat, and Nene. Orlando has players that can score all over from Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Mario Hezonja, and Elfrid Payton.

Wittman is very familiar with what it takes to win in the competitive Southeast Division with the Atlanta Hawks, the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat, and the Wizards. Orlando is usually the doormat of this Eastern Division that sends two to four teams to the postseason annually.

Should Wittman be able to get the most out of this young Magic team and get Orlando back into the Eastern Conference Playoffs, that is when Wittman’s greatest skill as an NBA head coach takes over. Few are better at winning road playoff games than Wittman. Winning on the road hasn’t been easy for Orlando and Wittman does offer a great deal that could potentially help the Magic.

Next: 4. David Blatt

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