Brian Hill according to espn.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2066733 Updated: May 23, 2005, 4:50 PM ET Hill coached Magic from 1993-96ESPN.com news services The Orlando Magic's search for a new head coach has led them back to a familiar place. Two league sources told ESPN Insider Chad Ford on Monday that the Magic will hire Brian Hill as their new head coach. Hill coached the Magic during their heyday years from 1993-1996 and compiled a 191-104 record during his stint. He is the only Magic head coach to ever lead the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance. The team also flirted with Flip Saunders, Eric Musselman and Chris Ford but in the end, felt that the experience, discipline and familiarity with the organization made Hill the man for the job. He should be a popular choice with the fans in Orlando and bring a different type of spirit to the organization. The hiring of Hill might be the first step in helping fans forget the last few dark years and start remembering the golden age when Hill, Shaq and Penny were on top of the world. Hill is currently an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets. I wonder if "Hockey GM" had anything to do with this. You know, since he sucks and all and quit on thier franchise after driving it into the crapper.
SPLAT!!!! Seriously, I was thinking they pulled something off and gotten Flip as a Coach/GM when Weisbrod stepped down. Brian Hill v2.0? Really? The man Penny sent packing is going to teach Franchise discipline? Ladies, and Gentlemen, your 2006-2007 Kansas City Magic! Evan
I've never seen a man run a more unimaginative offense than Brian Hill. Othella Harrington touched the ball more in his time under Hill than he did in all his other seasons combined. Sorry to keep piling on the Magic, but this is pathetic. Brian Hill means mediocrity. It's good for Francis, he'll be allowed to take the air out of the ball, but this is a bum pick. 41 wins, no more. At least Howard will get touches ...
I would have liked to see what kind of offense Flip wouldve put in there. That's not a bad offensive club in the hands of a good coach and a creative system (ie, not Brian Hill).
Man, we knew Weisbrod was a joke, but you have to be really bad to be kicked to the curb in favor of a retread like Brian Hill.
I'm trying to figure out what makes Brian Hill a bad coach: Hill’s record over his first three seasons (167-79, .679) is third in NBA history behind Pat Riley and Phil Jackson. He also ranks as the ninth fastest head coach to reach 100 victories, accomplishing the feat in 149 games. http://www.nba.com/coachfile/brian_hill/?nav=page
I take it you mean the offense that got him to the finals, which was feed the post and kick it out to the three point shooters...man, that sounds familiar...
With a 22-foot three-point line. Times have changed, the zones are here, Hill better be ready. Remember when Shaq left, or when he was injured during the first part of 1995-96? It was Penny, back down the defender, watch one (ONE!) cutter go through from the strong-to-weak side, then abort. He tried to turn Antonio Daniels and Mike Bibby into spot-up shooters while letting SAR get his points down low, and never seemed to involve more than two players at the same time.
Maybe Stevie picked up on KD's point and thought "at last, a coach that understands how to coach to my game. Get it done, ownership."
I don't think he's a great coach by any means, but lets remember he coached the freaking Grizzlies. I don't think a coaching combination of Red Aurbach, Chuck Daly, Pat Riley, and Larry Brown could have massaged more than a .333 winning percentage out of the stellar group that featured such standouts as Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, Anthony Peeler, and Blue Edwards. And speaking of riding superstars to championships, I'm assuming we are applying that same criteria to Phil Jackson as well. Bottom line: I don't think Brian Hill is 'as' bad a coach as we're making him out to be, and I also don't think Big Chief Triangle is the 'second coming' like we sometimes build him up.
Then Stevie gets traded to Minny for a re-signed Spree and Cassell and a pick or two. Then Stu and Hill get canned next year and they are gonna P.J. Carlissimo as coach/gm. Then Sprewell and slop get traded for Chris Webber. Then Carlissimo gets canned and they bring in Jim O'Brien.......... Then Webber gets traded for.............................. Carlos Delfino and Darko. Then they fire Jim O'brien and hire Larry Brown................. Then..................................... Then......................... Then................................... somewhere down the line Ostertag and Sloan resurface.
Somebody should tell the orginization bringing in Brian Hill doesnt mean an NBA Finals appearance ....unless they somehow magically (no pun intended) get the first pick and Bogut gets 20/10 every night.
What is going on with the Magic Organization? Who is running things? So basically John Weisbrod came and screwed the entire Magic Organization and then quit. He kicked freak'n Tracy McGrady out of town (luckily for us ). Trades Mobley for Christie in one the most outrageous trades of the year. Fire Johnny Davis and have hired Brian Hill? What's the rush? Saunders, O' Brien, and Mussleman are available and would probably take the job with no hesitation.
BTW, the only bright spot for the Magic is Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. Dwight Howard is going to be a stud. He really seems like a young KG, but Howard seems to be stronger and more aggressive than KG was when he first came in. Nelson played well for a small rookie. Seems like he could be like a Damon Stoudamire type player.
