Orlando Magic Blog – Page 26 – NBA Blog

`NBA Experience` at Disney World is coming

Coming soon, the “NBA Experience” at Disney World in Florida

The Walt Disney Company and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that they have begun developing “The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort” at Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

This expansive, one-of-a-kind destination will feature hands-on activities that put families and guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. Guests will enjoy immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences, as well as a restaurant and a retail store.

“We’re thrilled to work with the NBA to take our guests inside the world of professional basketball with an extraordinary entertainment experience,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’ve had a long and successful partnership with the NBA through ESPN, and we will continue to build on that foundation as we bring the Disney and NBA brands together for the first time in this exciting and innovative way.”

“We look forward to uniting the passionate, global fan bases of the NBA and our longtime partner, Disney,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Working with the world’s top creator and operator of themed entertainment attractions, we can’t wait to bring the magic of Disney and the excitement of the NBA to guests from around the world.”

Magic may hire Scott Skiles as coach

Magic may hire Scott Skiles as coach

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on the Magic, who are in need of a new head coach:

If Skiles has maintained that kind of magnetic pull with longtime fans, well, great. Mostly, they should just hope his legendary toughness, intensity and basketball I.Q. as a gritty, sawed-off point guard can be passed down to his next-generation players.

Skiles isn’t big on reliving the old days, anyway. He and the Magic realize this mission is about the present, not the past, on both their parts.

The Magic’s front office believes it has enough talent now to close in on a playoff berth — even if a 25-57 record last season offered little proof — and it expects Skiles to get them there, ASAP.

But eventually he can only take them as far as the personnel allows, meaning GM Rob Hennigan must find Skiles a star or two through trades and/or free agency.

In Year 4 of the Dwight Howard rebuild, the Magic are looking for their coach to make a difference. They’ll replace test pilots Jacque Vaughn and James Borrego with an entirely different bench boss: a no-nonsense, no-excuse veteran who has the license to demand more from players.

Magic interview power forwards at Draft Combine

Magic interview power forwards at Draft Combine

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on the Magic, who have a nice set of guards on their roster but can use some help up front:

Attempting to detect a pattern in the players a team interviews at the NBA Draft Combine is a dangerous exercise.

Orlando Magic officials, for instance, don’t disclose the names of the 18 players they spoke with during the event. Making matters more difficult: The league assigns the interviews based on the demand for specific players. So the prospects the Magic interviewed weren’t necessarily the people the Magic wanted to interview most.

But if the Magic are intent on shoring up their power forward spot through the draft, the team made some progress in its research. Team officials interviewed at least six power forward prospects during the combine — UCLA’s Kevon Looney, Kentucky’s Trey Lyles, Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky, Arkansas’ Bobby Portis, Syracuse’s Rakeem Christmas and LSU’s Jordan Mickey — those players said.

Orlando Magic GM Rob Hennigan gets contract extension

Orlando Magic GM Rob Hennigan gets contract extension

The Orlando Magic have extended the contract of General Manager Rob Hennigan, Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins announced today. Hennigan’s contract has been extended through the 2017-18 season. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Under the leadership of Rob (Hennigan), we feel that we are positioning ourselves to be able to contend in a long-term, sustainable fashion,” said Martins. “We are proud of the work that Rob and our basketball operations department has done to this point and we look forward to taking the next steps in the process.”

Hennigan was named general manager of the Magic on June 20, 2012. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team’s basketball operations, including day-to-day business, roster management and development, player acquisitions, salary cap management, analytical systems, and process development throughout the department. Before joining the Magic, Hennigan spent the previous four seasons (2008-12) with Oklahoma City, including his last two seasons as the Thunder’s assistant general manager/player personnel.

“It’s an honor to be a member of this organization and a privilege to work for the DeVos Family under Dan and Alex’s leadership,” said Hennigan. “I am extremely grateful for the unwavering trust and support that our entire organization demonstrates as we continue building our team for competitive longevity and one in which all of Central Florida can be proud.”

Prior to joining the Thunder, Hennigan spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. He was named director of basketball operations in September of 2007. Hennigan began as an intern during the 2004-05 season and was later named the team’s basketball operations assistant during the summer of 2005. The Spurs won the NBA World Championship in 2004-05 and 2006-07.

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

Tobias Harris discusses how to try to guard LeBron

At 6pm ET today, the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Orlando Magic. Guarding LeBron James has always been a difficult task, and it’s probably even harder now that Cavs chemistry has improved. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless and Aaron Gordon almost certainly will spend time guarding James one-on-one at some point tonight. But Borrego and Magic players said the task for slowing James and James’ teammates will be more of a “collective effort.”

“You’ve just got to be physical all night,” Harris said. “You’ve got to be tuned in. It’s gonna be a group effort from everybody, because he’s somebody that can make plays for everybody on the floor. He’s such a good passer that he gets everybody going. So it’s really going to be a collective effort from everybody on our team tonight.”

The Magic (21-46) need a win, any win, these days.

They’ve lost their last three games following a winless road trip to Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Boston in which they faltered down the stretch against the Bucks and the Celtics.

Magic hire Igor Kokoskov as assistant coach

Orlando Magic hire Igor Kokoskov as assistant coach

The Orlando Magic have named Igor Kokoskov (kuh-KOS-kov) assistant coach, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Kokoskov, 43, has spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2013-14 campaign. During his tenure on an NBA bench, Kokoskov’s teams have made six conference finals appearances, two NBA Finals trips and captured one NBA World Championship.

Prior to joining the Cavaliers, Kokoskov spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns from 2008-13. He also spent five seasons with the Detroit Pistons from 2003-08, reaching the conference finals in each campaign and earning the 2004 NBA title.

In 2000, Kokoskov became the first full-time, non-American assistant coach in NBA history, when he was named to Alvin Gentry’s staff with the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent three seasons with the Clippers from 2000-03. Kokoskov later became the first non-American assistant to win an NBA championship and also the first to serve on an NBA All-Star Game coaching staff. Kokoskov also owns the distinction of being the first European coach to hold a full-time position with an NCAA Division I-A school, when he served as an assistant at the University of Missouri during the 1999-00 season under Quin Snyder, now head coach of the Utah Jazz.

A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Kokoskov owns extensive international experience as a head coach and assistant coach. He was an assistant with the Serbian national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics under renowned European coach Zeljko Obradovic. Kokoskov has enjoyed seven successful summers (2008-14) as the national team head coach for the Republic of Georgia. His team has twice qualified for the European Championships during his tenure, something the nation had never done previously. In 2012, his work with the national team earned him the Order of Honour, Georgia’s highest civilian honor.

Prior to his move to the United States, Kokoskov instructed the former Yugoslavia’s top amateur and professional players for eight years, including a stint as an assistant coach for the nation’s junior national team. He has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and administered other clinics throughout Africa and Europe.

Victor Oladipo scores 22 in Rising Stars loss

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who shot just 8-of-21 for 22 points in a losing effort on All-Star Friday:

The last thing Victor Oladipo expected when he elevated for a layup just four minutes into the Rising Stars Challenge exhibition Friday night was for an opposing player to challenge the shot and commit a hard foul.

But Rudy Gobert jumped for a block attempt, and Gobert’s right arm hit Oladipo so hard that Oladipo lost his balance in midair and — in a split second that had to frighten the Orlando Magic executives inside Barclays Center — fell directly onto his rear end.

“Crazy!” Oladipo exclaimed after Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted him off the court.

Oladipo wasn’t hurt, but the moment still jarred him. It jolted him so much that he went on to score 22 points as his U.S. team lost to the World squad 121-112.

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

The Orlando Magic have relieved Jacque Vaughn from his head coaching duties, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

“Jacque (Vaughn) has been a trusted friend and colleague,” said Hennigan. “We thank him immensely for his contributions and sacrifices in bringing our team to this point, and we greatly appreciate his unwavering commitment to our organization. We have tremendous respect for Jacque and certainly wish him the best as he embarks on the next phase of his career.”

Vaughn was named head coach on July 27, 2012. He became the tenth head coach in franchise history and was the second youngest coach in the NBA at the time of his hiring. During his two-plus seasons in Orlando, Vaughn compiled a record of 58-158 (.269 win pct.), including 15-37 this season.

Prior to joining the Magic, Vaughn spent two seasons (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. During his two seasons on San Antonio’s staff, the Spurs compiled a regular season record of 111-37. He was also a member of the 2006-07 Spurs’ NBA Championship team as a player.

Borrego is in his third season with the Magic. He spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach with New Orleans. Prior to joining New Orleans, Borrego spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs from 2003-10. He started as an assistant video coordinator in the summer of 2003 and finished his tenure as an assistant coach. During those seasons, Borrego was a part of two NBA Championships teams in 2005 and 2007.

During the summer of 2013, Borrego served as head coach for the Magic’s summer league team. He also coached the New Orleans summer league team in 2012. Borrego has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in both Tokyo, Japan and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Borrego began his coaching career at the University of San Diego, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons from 2001-03. During the 2002-03 campaign, San Diego captured the West Coast Conference Championship and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Borrego played three seasons at the University of San Diego, and during his senior season (2000-01) he was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in leadership studies.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, N.M., Borrego led Albuquerque Academy to a pair of state championships. He and his wife, Megan, have a daughter and two sons.

Magic may be close to firing Jacque Vaughn

Magic may be close to firing Jacque Vaughn

The 15-34 Orlando Magic have the fifth worst winning percentage in the NBA so far this season, and have lost seven games in a row. Head coach Jacque Vaughn’s job may be in jeopardy. Yahoo Sports reports:

Magic may soon part ways with coach Jacque Vaughn

The Orlando Magic are close to firing coach Jacque Vaughn and a change could come soon, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

As embarrassing losses accumulate, Vaughn is rapidly running out of time to show the progress needed to make it through the next several days – never mind the fourth and final year of his contract in 2015-’16, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

“It isn’t a matter of ‘if,’ anymore, but ‘when,’” a source close to the decision-making process told Yahoo Sports about Vaughn’s fading job security.

Orlando Magic notes: Jan. 20, 2015

Orlando Magic Team Notes

Faster pace of play proving effective for the Magic: Orlando recorded a 121-114 victory on January 12 at Chicago before returning to Amway Center on January 14 where the Magic defeated the Rockets, 120-113. This marked the first time since February 13-16, 1996 that Orlando has scored 120+ points in consecutive outings. During the last four games (January 12-present), the Orlando Magic are averaging 109.0 points per game (436 points).

Payton makes Magic history again: Magic rookie guard Elfrid Payton registered a career-high 22 points and 12 assists against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 16. With this performance, Payton became the youngest player in Orlando Magic history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game.

Vučević and Oladipo both record a pair of 30-point games: Magic center Nikola Vučević posted a career-high 34 points against Portland on January 10 and followed that up with a 33-point effort in Chicago on January 12. Magic guard Victory Oladipo also poured in 33 points in Chicago before scoring 32 against the Houston Rockets on January 14. This marked the first time that each player has scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games in their respective careers.

Magic among the NBA’s best in takeaways: The Orlando Magic recorded a season-high 14 steals in their win over the Houston Rockets on January 14. The Magic have notched at least five steals in 38 games this season, which is tied for the third most in the NBA.

Frye has found his touch from 3-point range: Magic forward Channing Frye connected on five 3-pointers against the Rockets on January 14 and four 3-pointers against the Grizzlies on January 16. This was the 12th time in his career that Frye made four or more 3-pointers in back-to-back contests and it marked the second time he has accomplished the feat in a Magic uniform. Frye is shooting 39.3 percent (81-of-219) from long range during the 2014-15 campaign.