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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Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson watches warmups before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson watches warmups before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Mark Jackson

Before Orlando hired Skiles as their new head coach last summer, many thought that the Magic would consider former NBA point guard and former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson for the position. A year later, one has to believe that the Magic might consider bringing Jackson into the fold for the 2016-17 NBA season.

Jackson helped turn around a mediocre Warriors team into a team that was essentially Western Conference Finals caliber, assuming Golden State got a favorable matchup or two. Orlando has a great assortment of young talent that Jackson could do a fine job of molding, particularly on the defensive end.

Should Jackson take over the Magic, he could conceivably have them back in the Eastern Conference Playoffs by the end of the 2017-18 at the very latest. Remember that he turned Golden State into a team that was capable of winning 50 games in the Western Conference, so imagine what he could do with this Magic team in the East?

Being only two years out of the league isn’t all that big of an issue for Jackson, as he has spent the last two seasons as a color commentator for ESPN on NBA games, so he’s still immensely knowledgable about the inner workings of the NBA.

If Jackson is going to get an NBA head coaching gig this summer, the safest bet for him would be with this upstart Magic team. The bigger question is if the Magic can do better than Jackson? They theoretically can, but Jackson wouldn’t be a bad hire if Orlando chooses to go in that direction.

Next: 2. Joe Prunty

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