Magic hire Scott Skiles

[Andrew]

As per Woj's report:

Scott Skiles has emerged as the strong frontrunner to become head coach of the Orlando Magic, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has discussed the opening with several possible candidates, but Skiles has clearly separated himself in the process, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Skiles, 51, has been the preferred choice of Orlando ownership, which has been fond of him since his playing days with the Magic in the 1990s. Skiles fits the candidate profile that Hennigan privately outlined for the coaching search: a successful head-coaching résumé that includes strong emphasis on upgrading Orlando’s defense and accountability.

He's done OK in the past, he arguably got a couple of his Bulls teams to overachieve. He has a reputation for wearing thin on players though, so I'm guessing it won't be a long tenure.

UPDATE: Now official: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/magic-hire ... --nba.html

[Alpha_]

Magic will name Scott Skiles coach this week. Per Peter Vecsey.

[Mandich]

A mediocre coach for a mediocre team.

The Magic still need to acquire and develop some talent, so I guess it really doesn't matter who their coach will be next year.

[mp3]

I like Scott Skiles he's a demanding coach who pushes players but he always coaches rebuilding teams that suck and never get better.

I wonder what he could do if he had stepped into say the Cavs job last summer

[air gordon]

Happy skiles is back in the league. His reputation of being a hard ass is well earned. His coaching smarts goes under the radar. I think the magic is most talented group he's been able to coach. Orlando will be a fun team to watch next year

[NovU]

Don't they have Dario Saric as well from last year's pick? They seem to have bunch of young players but it looks like a bad mix of talent to me, even to develop right will be tricky. Tobias Harris likes handling the ball but is still a mediocre player and too eager to prove, while other young players like Elfried, Aaron Gordon, Oladipo need their touches to learn. Vucevic is the most 'ready to win guy' but not with this dysfunctional bunch. What's worse is that they fell short of top 4 in this year's draft. Probably will settle for another mediocre talent with mediocre potential.

[Jackal]

Saric was traded to the Sixers for the rights to Payton. So if/when Saric comes to the NBA, he'd be a sixer unless they trade his rights.

I hope the Skiles hiring will push Harris in to exploring other options. He's way younger than Carroll at 22 and already has 4 seasons under his belt.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

No one will ever be able to equal Stan Van Gundy's mustache.

[benji]

Now Skiles is talking to the Pelicans. And Magic interviewed Mike Woodson.

[mp3]

Thibs to Orlando I think

[Andrew]

Skiles officially hired.

The next chapter in Orlando Magic basketball will be led by one of its most familiar faces.

General manager Rob Hennigan introduced former player Scott Skiles as the franchise's 12th coach Friday, beginning what they hope will be the turning point in their latest rebuilding project.

The 51-year-old Skiles was a member of the Magic's inaugural team in 1989-90 and played point guard for a total of five seasons in Orlando as part of his 10-year playing career.

[[Q]]

Apparently he has a bad relationship with Tobias Harris from their Milwaukee days

[mp3]

He never played the rookie, can't not play him now if he stays in Orlando.

It will be interesting what Skiles will do with this roster, there is a good young talented core for him to work with.

[shadowgrin]

He's done OK in the past, he arguably got a couple of his Bulls teams to overachieve. He has a reputation for wearing thin on players though, so I'm guessing it won't be a long tenure.

Heh, you just described Thibs.

If this were Pokemon, Thibs is an evolved version of Skiles.

[Andrew]

There might be something to that. If nothing else, the Bulls seem to be hiring coaches with progressively more hair.

[shadowgrin]

The Mayor looks dreamy. No homo.

[benji]

There might be something to that. If nothing else, the Bulls seem to be hiring coaches with progressively more hair.

[Andrew]

From Skiles onwards.

[air gordon]

How dare you not mention Del negro and his silky smooth coiff

[Andrew]

Ah, of course. Well, there goes that theory.