Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

An early list of Orlando Magic coaching candidates

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls
Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Thibodeau

Regular Season Playoffs
Season Tm W L W/L% Finish W L W/L%
2010-11 CHI 62 20 .756 1 9 7 .563
2011-12 CHI 50 16 .758 1 2 4 .333
2012-13 CHI 45 37 .549 2 5 7 .417
2013-14 CHI 48 34 .585 2 1 4 .200
2014-15 CHI 50 32 .610 2 2 0 1.000
Career 255 139 .647 19 22 .463

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/20/2015.

This is obviously the dream scenario for the Magic. Thibodeau is an accomplished coach already with the Chicago Bulls, guiding them to the edge of contention. If it were not for injuries to their star Derrick Rose.

There is a lot of pressure to win in this postseason for the Bulls. But even that might not be enough. The rumblings about Thibodeau finding a way out of the final two years of his contract and go to a situation that is better for him.

What situation is better than coaching former MVP Derrick Rose, an unselfish defensive big in Joakim Noah and a budding All Star in Jimmy Butler? I do not know.

Maybe it is one where he has more personnel control or a management group willing to spend a little bit more when the team is so close.

There is also the cost. The Bulls will not just let him go. They may ask for a first round pick just for the right to negotiate with him. Is that worth it or could a team try to wait the Bulls out and force them into a decision. Can the Magic wait that long?

Whatever the case may be, there are already rumors Thibodeau is looking into the Magic job. Obviously he would bring a high level of credibility and respect to the locker room.

More than that, players will want to play for him because of his track record.

In fairness though, Thibodeau is known for wearing his starters thin to win at all costs. Some in the Bulls organization blame his hard-driving ways for all their injury issues.

He has also not developed a young team. When he took over the Bulls in 2010, they were already a top-10 defense and a Playoff team. The Magic are decidedly neither.

Still, Thibodeau presents a coach with a proven track record and an experience and success factor no other candidate in the running has to offer.

Next: Mike Malone