Rob Hennigan Preaches Patience

By this point, most expected the Orlando Magic and their new head coach to be plotting out how the handle a team that recently traded superstar center Dwight Howard.

Instead, it's mid-July and the Magic have yet to hire a head coach and still have a disgruntled superstar.

Pundits and experts have questioned new general manager Rob Hennigan's decisions thus far and the never ending Dwight drama has caused Magic fans to become restless.

That, however, hasn't fazed Hennigan.

While everyone else involved in this mess grows tired and just wants to see it come to an end, Hennigan is doing his due diligence, putting a temporary hold on extensive Howard trade talks while he finds a new coach.

After Utah Jazz assistant coach Jeff Hornacek, Golden State Warriors assistant Michael Malone and Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw were eliminated from consideration, Hennigan has narrowed down Orlando's coaching search to three - former Detroit Pistons head coach and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant Michael Curry, Chicago Bulls player development coach Lindsey Hunter and San Antonio Spurs assistant Jacque Vaughn.

Since the Magic have narrowed their finalists down to three, one would assume a decision will come quickly.

That isn't the case. One Magic source indicated the process could last up to two more weeks, with another round or two of interviews being conducted by Hennigan, Orlando's front office and ownership.

As the Dwight Howard saga drags on, the question often asked is "How can you go into another season with Howard on the roster?" which is usually followed by "Why hasn't he been traded yet?"

In the case of both hiring a coach and deal Howard, what's the rush?

It's July. Training camps don't open until September.

A week ago, Hennigan told the media the Magic "aren't going to create any artificial timelines."

In fact, if you asked Hennigan about taking his time, he'd probably tell you it's all part of the "process," a word he has consistently used since his introductory press conference.

Taking your time and make sure you do all of your homework, like Hennigan appears to be doing, is the best way to go about things (one source said "his research and your research are totally different things). That's how Hennigan's two previous teams, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, were built into contenders.

So sit back and relax. It's all part of the process.