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Report: Magic on the clock

The Orlando Magic have been rebuilding for several years and now is the time for the team to finally become a playoff contender. In addition to the players, the hiring of head coach Scott Skiles will be a major key for the Magic this coming season. From Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel:

    "Jacque Vaughn's firing was the first tangible indication that the Magic's once-unyielding commitment to patience was wearing thin. No more backtracking would be permitted. No excuses from the Magic's diaper dandies are now so readily accepted. ... Obviously, Skiles just got here. The Magic must give him some time, but they did fire Vaughn during his third season. Skiles is under pressure because he's supposed to be a better coach than Vaughn, given his 13 years on the bench. If you look at the talent on the Boston Celtics' roster and the Magic's roster, they appear — on paper — to be very similar. But the Celtics won 15 more games than the Magic last season, reaching the playoffs. Many point to coach Brad Stevens as the main reason for the improvement. Fans expect Skiles to make a difference — and frankly, so does the Magic's brain trust. On Friday morning, the team opens training camp at 8:45 sharp, the clock ticking loudly."

The ESPN Summer Forecast predicts the Magic will finish 13th in the Eastern Conference this coming season.

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