Adonal Foyle sees one problem after another appear on Otis Smith's plate, and he questions the sanity of his chosen career path.
"I tell Otis, 'I think I'm reconsidering,' " Foyle laughed.
Foyle is learning the general-manager ropes under Smith, who assumed the full-time duty of the Magic in 2006.
Foyle is in his first season as the club's director of player development, but he has spent a lot of time observing Smith.
Watching Smith this season has offered Foyle a Reader's Digest version of the demands of the job.
Smith has had to deal with the trade demand issued by his franchise star, Dwight Howard; the suspension of Glen "Big Baby" Davis by the team for insubordination, plus other Big Baby matters; and the team's roller-coaster ride fueled by inconsistent performances by veteran players.
And those are the issues we know about it. There are dozens of others.
Plus, Foyle, 37, knows that Smith also received death threats via email during his handling of the Howard saga. He's aware of the criticism raining down on Smith by the media for some decisions he has made. All part of the territory.
"I've always thought I wanted an opportunity to construct a team," Foyle said. "I like the idea of putting a team together and keeping it together.
"I can see that it's very challenging, to say the least."
A graduate of Colgate and a man whose interests expanded outside the court — he's a political activist, having founded "Democracy Matters," and a poet — Foyle has the smarts, charisma and work ethic to become a GM.
He said Smith is not just a mentor, but an executive role model who sees his job as managing people as well as players.
A 12-year NBA veteran, including two seasons with the Magic, Foyle says players don't quite comprehend what goes on behind the curtain. Foyle admires the hands-on nature of Smith, who attends virtually every game, practice and shootaround.
"Otis sets the bar very high for GMs," Foyle said. "He's impressive. When you are on the outside, you don't see his effect. Otis never gets secondhand information. He cuts things off at the pass before they blow up.
"It's better to be in the fray."
Foyle says "it helps" being a former player "in terms of evaluating" players.
"I was a rookie, and Terry Cummings told me, 'You can't be too hot or too cold. You can't get too high or too low. You have to stay at an even keel,' " he said. "That's what I think you try to impart to players."
Foyle is following a path similar to what Smith traveled as a former player.
Smith served as the Magic's community-relations director, then left for Golden State to become director of basketball operations. He returned to the Magic as director of player development before landing the GM gig.
Magic's Adonal Foyle: General manager in training
Foyle learning ropes under GM Otis Smith
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Orlando Magic's Director of Player Development Adonal Foyle watches the Magic's game against the Dallas Mavericks in Orlando, Fla. Friday, March 30, 2012. (Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel / March 30, 2012) |
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