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The Magic will interview a candidate that has something others they are known to be considering do not: NBA head coaching experience.
According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic will soon interview former Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, a name that Floridians should be familiar with from his eight year run as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat.
The Orlando Magic have an interview scheduled with David Fizdale for the Magic's head-coaching job, sources said.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 1, 2018
Fizdale took over as head coach of the Grizzlies prior to the 2016-2017 season and guided the team to a 43-39 record and first round playoff match-up against the Spurs, which Memphis lost in six games. During an injury-ravaged season in 2017-2018, Fizdale clashed with center Marc Gasol and was fired. Fizdale finished his Grizzlies’ stint with a record of 50-51 and one classic rant....
Fizdale, who is 43 years old, also recently interviewed for the Hawks and Knicks head coaching job and has been courted by the Suns.
The Magic have also reportedly interviewed, or plan to interview, Spurs assistant Ime Udoka, Blazers assistant David Vanterpool and head coach of the Raptors G-League affiliate Jerry Stackhouse.
Of that group, Fizdale would be the only candidate who would not be a rookie head coach in the NBA. So, if Fizdale does get the job....