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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 7: Individual Workouts

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 27, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Probably the number one question I get right now. And with the news that the Pelicans have fired Monty Williams it certainly adds a bit of an intrigue.

All the reports right now suggest the Magic are waiting on Tom Thibodeau to make a decision. That seems to be the right call.

Thibodeau is the best coach potentially available on the market. His track record is pretty set. The Bulls have outplayed their talent ability through injuries and have a great defensive identity. He knows how to motivate and guys will run through brick walls for him.

Provided he can be a good partner with Rob Hennigan — and ultimately, I think this is what Hennigan wants most — I would be 100 percent behind this decision.

I am very skeptical about Scott Skiles — we know he gets you to the Playoffs but burns you out after three years. I am skeptical about Alvin Gentry — he has had three chances at being a head coach and really struggled, but we cannot deny how good his offenses have been the last two years with the Clippers and Warriors.

Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

I am a little skeptical about Scott Brooks. He had elite talent in Oklahoma City and never could get over the hump, but helped grow them into a team with championship potential. I think Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post outlined the reasons to be skeptical with Brooks really well.

If Thibodeau is off the table, I really believe going with a coach like Ettore Messina is the right way to go. I am a big fan of Messina’s, but I recognize it is a risk.

Messina, if you do not know, is one of the most successful coaches in Euroleague history. He is a two-time Euroleague Coach of the Year and four-time Euroleague winner and has spent the last two years with the Spurs as an assistant coach.

This is an accomplished coach who knows how to be a head coach in the league. He is not some raw assistant who has never been given the chance. Granted, that head coaching experience was overseas in FIBA. But, again, he has had some experience working with NBA players now both with the Spurs and as a special adviser to the Lakers.

He wants to be a head coach some day when the right opportunity comes around and there have been rumors connecting him to the various open jobs already.

It is a risk. Euroleague is different from the NBA. But this is a potential championship coach that can grow with the Magic’s roster. He is the kind of guy the Magic should have gone after three years ago. Picking up an also-ran coach who is going to flame out in four years with minimal results is not going to get the job done if the idea is championships.

James Borrego could very well be that guy too. I know some Magic fans have been open to the idea of him keeping his job. He did some good things in his short time as the Magic’s head coach. But a new voice is needed. The Magic need to go in a different direction.

Next: Who is trade bait