Orlando Magic players react to new coach
The Orlando Magic players have had a weekend to learn about the Scott Skiles hire. Many of them took to social media or spoke about the new coach.
The Orlando Magic hired Scott Skiles on Friday. Most of the players have left town for their summer vacations. There is not much reason for them to be in Orlando right now. None were creeping around Amway Center when the Magic’s somewhat hastily put together press conference introducing their new hire.
Skiles, for his part, did not want to get too much into the specifics of players on the roster. He said he did not want his first interaction with players (good or bad) to be through the media. He obviously made a brief statement about Tobias Harris and noted he envisions Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo becoming a top-five NBA backcourt on the defensive end.
His goals as outlined to the media were very general. He still has to get settled into his new office.
Players though still had the opportunity to think about their new coach and respond to the announcement. And several did either through social media or through reporters near wherever they are summering right now.
A lot of it is boiler plate excitement. They are not going to go out and denigrate the new coach hire (even from someone who reportedly had issues in his first stint with Skiles, more on that elsewhere).
There is general excitement the Magic have moved on with a new coach.
Moe Harkless: "I'm excited about a new beginning. I've heard a lot about Scott Skiles and am looking forward to meeting & working with him."
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 29, 2015
Maurice Harkless has been training over at IMG in Bradenton, Florida and took a break to speak with Alex Kennedy for an upcoming post on Basketball Insiders.
Few players on the roster have as much to gain as Harkless. He really has one more year to show the league he deserves a spot in the league. It is still unclear whether the Magic will retain him or what role he will play.
Skiles is known as a defensive coach and so Harkless has to recommit himself to the defensive end in order to make his mark. He is capable because he has the physical tools and potential to do so. This is his big opportunity.
I'll be in the air during the press conference so I'll have to catch it later...anyways, welcome coach Skiles! Let's rock.
— Aaron Gordon (@Double0AG) May 29, 2015
Aaron Gordon should be excited about having Scott Skiles as his head coach. Gordon is the kind of defensive grinder Skiles will love. The offense will have to come — and Skiles or one of his future assistants may have to work in a more focused manner to improve that part of his game.
Elfrid Payton too is excited about the opportunity to learn from a former point guard in the league:
Elfrid Payton on Scott Skiles hire: "Happy for our front office. It'll be great learning from another former point guard."
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 29, 2015
Brett already looked at how Payton might improve with Skiles as the head coach. There is a lot of veteran savvy and toughness Skiles can impart.
More than anything, everyone seems excited things are settled in the lead chair. That was a big question entering this summer. Now the team can move forward.
Who they are moving forward with has set off some debate within the Magic fan base, but there is little doubt of his credentials among former players like Ben Gordon and Brandon Jennings:
.@OrlandoMagic G @BenGordon8 on Skiles:"Anytime anybody asks me about him I say the same thing - if you wanna win then you should hire him."
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) May 30, 2015
Despite the narrative about Skiles, players seem to respect what he brings to the table and appreciate how he gets the most out of them. Provided they are on the right side.
Gordon had some of his best years in Chicago with Skiles as his head coach. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2005 and followed that up with his highest scoring year with Skiles as head coach. Skiles definitely formed Gordon’s career.
Similarly, Brandon Jennings started his career with Skiles as the head coach of the Bucks. He surely learned a lot even though it did not seem like their two personalities would mesh. They made one postseason together before the Bucks struggled and fell out of the postseason picture.
Evan Fournier simply posted this Instagram:
Finally, the Skiles hire probably got the ultimate seal of approval for Magic fans, coming from former coach Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy told Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel:
"“Great hire for the Magic. Great coach. Great person. He’ll be terrific. . . . Wish they hadn’t hired someone so good.”"
No matter how fans feel about the hire, it seems like a lot of players are buying in and ready to play for Skiles. Now it is up to Skiles to execute a vision, instill an identity and get some wins to make the faith the Magic put in him worth it.