Yesterday Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins announced Rob Hennigan as the new General Manager. At 30 years old, Hennigan has been assistant to the director of basketball operations of the elite organization of the San Antonio Spurs, helping bring the team to a 2005 and 2007 Finals Championship. The last four seasons, Hennigan has also been assistant general manager to the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to Orlando Magic writer John Denton, Hennigan was essential in the drafting of players such as Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden. With the NBA Draft around the corner, the Magic needs skilled foresight to build their franchise past 1st round playoff contenders.
Hennigan has shown an ability to manage teams such as the Spurs, who focus on fundamentals, but then turn around and engage in the fast paced style of the Thunder. The Magic have not been a “get out and run” team for several years having relied on points to come from beyond the arc or right under the basket. Hennigan’s accomplishments at the young age of 30 not only allow him to relate more to players, but also give a shot in the arm to a roster who have traded younger talent for aging veterans. Not to say a roster full of veterans can’t get the job done, but the Magic haven’t been picking the right veterans. Both the Spurs and the Thunder operate under the theme of “family” where the Magic has tried to force a team dynamic through mid-season trades and rumors.
When Alex Martins explained the team would be focusing on hiring championship experience, he was not joking. In addition to the Finals runs with the Spurs and Thunder, Hennigan’s own athletic experience is decorated with championships. Hennigan lead St. John’s High School of Massachusetts to a 1999-2000 championship. At Emerson College, he was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year from 2001 to 2003.
Inheriting a myriad of damage control, Hennigan will first have to make decisions as to who will coach the team. Rumors of Brian Shaw being the favorite candidate due to his time spent playing for the Magic have all but made up the media’s mind. Although former head coach Stan Van Gundy helped tie the Magic for the best record collective record in the East, playoff performance has not reflected the 3 point thrills and Dwight Howard dunks shown off during the season. Brian Shaw fits the championship experience requested by the front office. Having been to the Finals with the Magic in 1995 and winning three titles with the Lakers, Shaw understands the caliber of training and execution needed to be more than SportsCenter downtime jokes.
Another looming issue is the future of Dwight Howard. If Hennigan cannot propose a plan to entice Howard to make a long-term commitment, then Hennigan also cannot be afraid to make a trade. For a new era of Magic basketball to be successful, the team cannot languish for years without a star as it did in the franchise’s infancy. The one advantage Hennigan will have when facing Howard will be the support of the fans. Howard saw relentless backlash from fans on all forms of social media when he requested a trade, and the fan-Howard relationship remains strained as no promises past next year were made.
With a free agent class that lacks true standouts, Hennigan will either need to come up lucky in the draft or use his ability to predict greatness in the young talent looking to find new teams. Either way, retaining key pieces of the Magic such as Ryan Anderson, who faces restricted free agency, will have to be handled delicately as budding talent is usually used to attract star player trades.
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