NBA Rumors: Magic Would Become Laughingstock of the NBA If Shaq Becomes GM

Is this some sort of sick joke?

The Orlando Magic is looking to find a new head coach and general manager, and according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, one of their candidates for GM is Shaquille O’Neal:

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As first reported on @NBAonESPN, the Orlando Magic will interview @SHAQ for their vacant GM position, sources say

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) May 24, 2012"

Unbelievable.

The same guy that set the franchise back years is now trying to be the savior? The same guy that has absolutely zero experience in the front office? The same guy that has a rather obvious vendetta against star Magic center Dwight Howard because he believes he stole the “Superman” nickname?

We’ve officially seen it all.

Shaq has been retired for one season now and can be seen as the awkward third wheel on TNT’s Inside the NBA, providing next to nothing in the form of intelligent analysis. Sure, he may be there for laughs, but it’s very hard to believe he could be a competent GM with the comments he makes on a nightly basis.

As Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post reminds us, Shaq hasn’t exactly been a brilliant talent evaluator:

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Shaq reportedly interviewing for Orlando GM job. He had DeAndre Jordan on his West All-Star team.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) May 24, 2012"

Shaq is an entertainer. He is the king of one-liners. He has a great smile and is bursting with charisma. But do you think a GM like the Spurs’ RC Buford would ever get the brunt end of a deal with Shaq?

I don’t know exactly what the Magic have up their sleeves with this decision, but fans can only hope it’s a move to keep their team in the headlines.

Luckily for fans, it doesn’t sound like Orlando is seriously considering the idea, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:

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But here's my best read on the subject with the help of a few observers plugged into the league's front-office grapevine: Shaq has been lobbying behind the scenes to be considered for the position, and the Magic -- in spite of the nastiest of divorces with O'Neal in the summer of 1996 -- are willing to at least sit down with the 40-year-old and give him the courtesy of hearing what he has to say.  

"

So there you have it. Shaq and his bloated ego want a chance to wow the suits into giving him the job.

If the Magic sign Shaq to their GM position, Howard is going to be demanding a trade quicker than you can say “Mickey Mouse.”

Let’s hope this is nothing more than a publicity stunt. 

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