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Orlando Magic: Top 5 Candidates To Replace Jacque Vaughn

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orlando Magic
May 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke (left), head coach George Karl (center), and general manager Masai Ujiri (right) during the press conference announcing Karl as the NBA coach of he year at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

2. George Karl

In case you didn’t get the reference, Karl — like Carl from The Walking Dead — has not been in the place where he’s supposed to be. Carl’s house represents safety and not getting eaten by a herd of zombies; Karl’s house represents an NBA coaching gig. Time for Karl to get back in the house.

The Magic need a coach who can improve their defense, but their offense is actually even worse. Orlando ranks 28th in the NBA in offensive efficiency, which is inexcusable with talented players like Vucci Mane, Oladipo and Tobias Harris. Enter George Karl, the guy that coached his Denver Nuggets to the NBA’s top five for offensive rating and pace in four straight seasons.

With a guard who can’t shoot like Elfrid Payton, perhaps pushing the tempo is the key to injecting some life into a listless offense. The Magic currently rank 13th in pace, but Karl has proven he’s capable of taking a group without a bonafide superstar and turning them into a competent team capable of competing with anyone on any given night.

Though his playoff success isn’t overwhelming (eight first round exits in nine years with the Nuggets), Karl is a proven winner, as his 1,131 career wins (and .599 win percentage) can testify. A gig featuring so much young talent at his disposal would probably be attractive to Karl, unless he’s just waiting around for Brian Shaw to be fired and expecting a rebound hire from the Nuggets.

But that seems somewhat unlikely, and from a personnel standpoint, Orlando would represent a more desirable destination anyway. It’s about time one of the league’s greatest regular season coaches got back in the game.

Next: No. 1 - Mr. 30 Assists

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