The Orlando Magic are reportedly entertaining the idea of hiring Scott Skiles to fill their coaching vacancy, but still openly considering other options, too. And if George Karl wasn’t on GM Rob Hennigan’s short list of candidates before, he no doubt is by now. The current ESPN analyst and 2013 Coach of the Year took to Twitter on Thursday and expressed indirect interest in Orlando’s job opening.
I wanted to address everyone's questions & comments in regards to my coaching career. Here is my official statement. pic.twitter.com/i4rN5wjoRh
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) February 6, 2015
You have to commend Karl’s bravado.
We’ve always been a fan of the former Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Seattle Supersonics coach. He’s been successful at every stop in his career on the sidelines and employs a brand of basketball uniquely suited to the Magic’s roster. That Karl mentions Orlando’s “speed” is no accident – his teams play a free-flowing brand of offense predicated on pushing the tempo even in half court sets.
And though Karl is often lambasted by detractors for putting less than optimal emphasis on defense, the Magic boast several youngsters whose hoops id lies on that end first and foremost. Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, and Aaron Gordon are the types of players who can mask schematic defensive deficiencies with their natural gifts.
Is Karl a legitimate candidate to be Orlando’s next coach? We’ll see, but he certainly seems well-suited – not to mention enthusiastic – for the job.
What do you think?
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