Orlando Magic: Time Running Out for Jacque Vaughn?
By Greg Chin
"“This is an important year to see growth and progress for us. We expect to see growth.”"
That’s a quote from Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan. When questioned further about what he expects from the team next season, he explained that he wanted to see improvement from the team this season, and that progress will be important.
He also mentioned the win-loss record will occupy a bigger percentage of the evaluation this season than it did the previous two seasons.
Translation: We want to win. Less losing would be better.
And if there’s anyone who’s feeling the pressure from all of this, it’s Magic’s head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Vaughn has led the team to 20- and 23-win seasons respectively since he took over in July 30, 2012. He’s had a pass for the last two seasons, and will now have to shift his focus from developing young players to finding ways to win games with his current roster. There are doubts surrounding Vaughn’s ability as a head coach, and several members of the Magic fan base have started calling for his head after two disappointing seasons.
But, in Vaughn’s defense, he hasn’t had much quality in his roster to work with. Orlando’s offseason moves this year have tried to change that. They’ve made significant moves in signing experienced veterans like Channing Frye and Ben Gordon, both of whom are expected to play heavy minutes this season. They’ve also added more young talent in two top 10 draftees, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton.
This could be the most talented roster Vaughn has ever had during his tenure with the team. It’s an improvement over the previous iterations, but is still a long way from the “final product.”
This very young roster features only four players that have more than three years of experience in the league: Willie Green, Luke Ridnour, Frye, and Gordon. None of them are marquee players, or players you’d expect to find making significant contributions on a playoff team.
The Magic have several potential superstars in Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Gordon, and Payton. But none of them are ready to make the leap to leading the team (except maybe Vucevic, who’s the most experienced of the bunch).
This just isn’t a roster that you’d expect to see in the playoffs anytime soon.
Yes, there’s a possibility that the Magic will be last season’s Phoenix Suns and be the surprise package of the league. But that Suns team had a lot more experience on the roster, and head coach Jeff Hornacek created an offense that fit the team perfectly – we are yet to see such creativity from Vaughn.
Sadly, the end seems near for Vaughn. He will be expected to win, and win now. There will be no more “we’re rebuilding” excuses for losses. The countdown has started for Vaughn. The organization is going to be less accepting of losses, and the pressure is now on Vaughn to show what he’s learnt over the last two seasons.