Week’s big Magic news is not news.
The big Magic news this week is no news. NBA sources told ESPN the Magic are “giving strong consideration to a big change in their front office.” Heck, my pedicurist could have told it that.
The real news would have been if league sources said the Magic are not giving strong consideration to a big change. Police helicopters would have quickly hovered over a mob heading to Amway Center carrying pitchforks and torches.
Rob Hennigan himself told the Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins two months ago he’s on the proverbial hot seat.
“The proverbial hot seat comes with the territory,” Hennigan said.
ESPN’s proverbial weight made its report a proverbial national story, however. It also revved Phase II in this drama, the outcome of which is far less certain than Phase I.
We’ll call it Speculation Season, though Silly Season might be more appropriate. A “league source,” which could be anyone from commissioner Adam Silver to the hot dog guy in Houston, tells a reporter the Magic might be looking at so-and-so to replace Hennigan.
Or media make educated guesses and report so-and-so might be a candidate. In this case, the so-and-so’s are Pat Garrity, Travis Schlenk, Scott Perry, Matt Lloyd, Doc Rivers, Joan Rivers, River Phoenix and the San Antonio Coyote.
I may have one or two names wrong, but I want to cover myself. Throwing spaghetti against the wall is a time-honored strategy in Speculation Season.
Its real flaw is how conjecture gets elevated into fake-news headlines. For instance, ESPN reported there has been “persistent chatter” around the NBA that Rivers will explore reuniting with Magic when his Clippers’ stint ends. It also said Garrity has “surfaced” as a potential candidate for Hennigan’s job.
That became “Doc Rivers Reportedly Considering Leaving Clippers, Joining Magic For Next Job” on Bleacher Report, and “Report: Magic targeting Pistons’ Pat Garrity for executive role,” on MLive.com, Reddit and who-knows-how-many Facebook links.
It’s enough to make fans bang their heads wondering what’s the truth and what are alternative facts. To make things easier, here’s a quickie betting guide to get you through the next few weeks.
Hennigan getting
fired: 1-10. You’d have to bet $10 to win $1. Should probably be 1-20, but rotten pingpong ball luck in the lottery wasn’t Hennigan’s fault. Garrity becoming
GM: 6-1. The Magic love family ties. Garrity played here and is getting good reviews as a front-office lieutenant in Detroit. Travis Schlenk becoming GM: 10-1 I don’t know anything thing about him other than his name has real headline potential (“Magic Schlenk Into Future”). That’s a good start.
Grant Hill becoming president of basketball operations: 12-1. Magic family ties. Universally respected. No front-office experience, but at least it wouldn’t matter this time if he showed up on crutches. Big Baby Davis becoming GM: 5,000-1. Just want to see if you’re still paying attention.