By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

I’m starting to think the Orlando Magic hate me.

It’s nothing I can physically prove, but there have been signs. For instance, three years ago I wrote very favorably about the hiring of Scott Skiles. After one year, no more Skiles. (Yes, I know he resigned, but you don’t leave a job like that if you’re happy).

Then, following the Skiles resignation, I thought Orlando made a great decision bringing in Frank Vogel. Two years later, bon voyage, Frank. At this point I’m so hesitant to write anything positive about whomever they hire next, it could be Gregg Popovich and my reaction would be, “Eh, is that really the right move?”

I understand letting Vogel go, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it. Not only has it been six years since Orlando made the playoffs- only Phoenix and Sacramento have longer droughts- but until this past season they had finished dead last in the Eastern Conference each of the previous five.

Oh, and just to be clear, the only reason the Magic weren’t last this season is because they finished one game ahead of an Atlanta Hawks team trying to tank so badly I’m pretty sure they would’ve started Jackie Moon, if he were an actual person.

Plus, Vogel was hired by the previous regime and I’m sure Jeff Weltman (President is Basketball Operations) and John Hammond (General Manager)- both hired prior to this past season- want to bring in their own guy.

So, with Orlando on the verge of hiring their fifth head coach since 2012, how attractive is the job?

Talent wise, it’s kind of mixed bag. There is enough young talent- Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and Jonathan Isaac are all 25 or younger- for it to be appealing, but none of those look to be a bonafide star.

In a league that is predicated on stars, that’s a bit of a problem. Depending on who Orlando is able to get in the upcoming draft that stigma could change.

Still it’s hard to get too excited about a roster that was one game away from finishing in last place for the sixth straight year. Basically, Orlando has just enough talent to have expectations that could get you fired.

The additions of Weltman and Hammond do bring some cache, which I imagine would be appealing to a potential candidate. Both gentlemen are coming off successful rebuilds (Toronto and Milwaukee, respectively) and have good reputations around the league.

That alone may allow the franchise to get a higher caliber of coach than they would have, otherwise.

Of course, you can’t discount the fact that it’s Orlando and there is no state tax, either. The sunshine and extra money in the pocket is never a bad thing.

Overall, the Magic job isn’t a bad one, as long as management makes some smart personnel decisions and allows the head coach time to succeed; neither of which has been taking place recently.

If I had to guess, Orlando will hire a current NBA assistant coach, with no head coaching experience, who has a reputation for developing young talent. It’s a cheaper avenue to take as opposed to rehiring someone that has NBA head coaching experience or going after a highly touted college coach. At this point, coaching isn’t as much of a concern as bringing in talent.

That said, regardless of what direction they decide to take, there’s one thing for certain- whatever I think of the hire, the exact opposite will happen. Here’s hoping for my disapproval.