Offseason thoughts

by koskinar on Apr 13, 2008 9:26 AM CDT Comment 49 comments

We all know how badly this season went.Team in a completely mess.The whole coaching staff with or without Scott Skiles was tuned out from the get go.

I really do not know what Paxson is thinking right now but selecting a new coach will be crucial.

He has to bring someone here that will command the respect from the players.Also the coaching staff.Ron Adams,Pete Myers?What have they offered the past years?Get them out of there.They are of no use and certainly a new coaching staff with different ideas and different approach will very well be welcomed.

In-game adjustments:This better be a good trait of the new coach since we lacked it with the Skiles/Boylan regime.

I've been following the Bulls since 1986 and really I cannot remember a Bulls team so dead on the court.It's a miracle to me that they've managed to win 31 games.

Cab things be possibly so bad?Have the players regressed?Were the Kobe Bryant trade rumors so hard for Deng and Gordon to swallow?

These questions and many more I pray John Paxson has answers for soon enough.The offseason is right around the corner for us and it starts on Wednesday midnight for us.

Step one for me is to get the right coach in here and apparently there seem to be only 3 viable options right now:Larry Brown,Rick Carlisle and Jeff Van Gundy.

Get a coach here to clear the air.Talk to the players and sit down with Paxson and start planning about next year.

Determine which players could be moved and quite frankly manage to get some trades going that will net us two ex-All Stars on the move.

I'm thinking Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest.Clearly we striked out on the Garnett and Gasol boat so Paxson just for once must realize that risks should be taken in order to get stuck out of mediocrity land.

Now I'm talking about two players that are questionable in terms of injury and mind but clearly these guys will be the two best players on the team.Given that Gordon and Deng are basically hard to trade now(sign and trades won't be easy especially for the cash they are looking) and the value of Hinrich and Nocioni isnt at their highest we could rely on the contracts of Hughes and Gooden who have played better for us since their arrival in Chicago.

Quite possibly we might have to give up the 9th pick in one of those deals.There also will be the mid level exception to use on a player.

I do not know about the rest of you but there has to be a major shake up.Come to think about it.
A Gordon-Artest-Deng-O'Neal-Noah lineup looks good on paper with tyrus switching for O'Neal or Noah.

Get a good point guard a GOOd coach and this team can compete.

I'd certainly like to hear your ideas to get the Bulls out of this mess.

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I have never been so confused

about what is wrong. If I could figure out the problem I'd have a plan to correct it. Are we a coach and one player move away from completing for the second spot in the East? Or are we in need of a total over-hall? Beats me!

by chgobr on Apr 13, 2008 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

One would think

that with a competent coach, this team wins at least 10 more games.

Compound that with some contract stability for Deng and Gordon, Tyrus moved to the starting rotation, a lottery pick, and next year the Bulls could even jump up 15 wins.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 13, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Any coaching favorites?

by chgobr on Apr 13, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I've posted them before

But I can post them again :P

1. Hubie Brown

Old but good!

2. Larry Brown

Would like to get back into coaching and is known for quick turnarounds (among other things)

3.John Paxon

great basketball mind. Plus, you bought it, you fix it!

4. Jeff Van Gundy

Defensive specialist without the Skiles bitter/angry after taste.

5. Doug Collins

Above anything, this team needs a coach that the younger guys can look to for guidance.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 13, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks!

by chgobr on Apr 13, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

What do you think of

Brian Shaw, Jim Cleamons or Mark Jackson (if he isn't given the Knicks' job)?

by California Al on Apr 13, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

They may be terrific but

I think we need a seasoned guy to get respect from these players. However, I really do not know them that well except for what I see and hear on TV. I thought Reggie Lewis was an awful choice in Sacramento and he has done a terrific job. I don't rrust my judgment on this one. I would like someone who works better with our young guys.

by chgobr on Apr 13, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Reggie Lewis

Should be up for coach of the year given Sacramento's performance and the fact that he died fifteen years ago.

by Gene Banks on Apr 14, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

How about

The defensive specialist, assistant coach from the Celtics, then add Clemons and install the Triangle, and MAYBE add Randy Brown and/or Pip.

Keep our most athletic, multidimentional players because they fit the triangle best. TT, Thabo, Noah, Gooden, Kirk, and Hughes.

View this as a two step process-this year and next. Use Noc, Deng and BG as best as possible. How?? "In Pax we trust."

by hlac on Apr 13, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Haven't heard that in a long time

I'd be all over Pip's bandwagon if he'd just take an assistant's job first. I always viewed him as a little bit delusional about his abilities (like not seeing just how badly the Houston team fit his skillset). I'm leaning towards former players, particularly guards. BShaw and Cleamons stand out because of Phil's mentoring.

by California Al on Apr 13, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Thibodeau/Cleamons

sounds appealing. But I'm not sure which guy -- if either -- is the head coach and which is the assistant.

Noah is a hussle machine, and Matt Duhon is our best guard.

by preverbal on Apr 15, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Boo

Paxson*

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 13, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Larry Brown...

Is known for more than just quick turnarounds, he also submarined the Knicks with the help of Isiah.

As a coach he's a cancer, don't be surprised if he never coaches again.

by Khalid El-Amin on Apr 13, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

What about Patrick Ewing (as an assistant)?

I have no idea if he's head coach material but I know he's built a reputation as a solid assistant (especially for developing big men) for a few years now.

Maybe get him a solid assistant coach contract? Teach Tyrus and Noah the art of the fadeway baseline jumper.

by Khalid El-Amin on Apr 13, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Might be an excellent choice

As opposed to an ex-player who hasn't taken the learning steps of being an assistant. That's the same reason I'd be interested in BShaw. Patrick also played under some really successful coaches.

by California Al on Apr 14, 2008 7:55 AM CDT up reply actions

what makes you guys

think that Ewing will want to leave a pretty cushy job at Orlando for a crappy rebuilding effort in Chicago? He personally coaches the best big man in the league, he lives in a nice and warm area, their team is successful, and according to reports from earlier this year, he does a lot of flirting with the cheerleaders before games. Why would he leave?

by NormVanBeer on Apr 14, 2008 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions

why does any coach

leave a nice cushy assistant's job? And if the Chicago Bulls are nothing but a "crappy rebuilding effort", who, with any resume at all, would take the job. Jim Boylan, that's who. Here's hoping this season hasn't so thoroughly killed Pax's self esteem that he shares your pessimism. But you have a point with the cheerleaders. Spent many an ogling night in Miami; holy samoley.

by California Al on Apr 14, 2008 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

i'm not saying

that he would NEVER leave. Maybe he will a couple of years down the line. But Ewing is not even a hot name right now. Nobody is talking about him being a head coach. He isn't ready. He knows that as well. So there's no reason for him to even leave right now.

by NormVanBeer on Apr 14, 2008 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

i thought

ewing was a possibility to move back to NY if mark jackson gets the head coaching job there.

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 14, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw that rumor too

I don't think Mark Jackson's in line to get his first head coaching job with the Bulls, but I think somewhere not too far down the line he'll be a head coach, and a good one, too.

by alec on Apr 14, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks a lot

like my picks from a few months back, esp with Hubie #1.....but that ain't happening.

I wouldn't mind seeing Pax on the bench, and I'd have Pippen as an assistant for sure--or at least the #5 spot over Doug Collins.

by majoyenrac on Apr 14, 2008 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Hell yes!

I don't know how many times I have suggested Hubie as well.

http://slickyricky76.blogspot.com/

by SlickRick76 on Apr 14, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you

Having read every suggestion here (and the following shoutdowns as to why THAT wouldn't work), I'm of the opinion that at best, we're one or two tweaks away from being a .500 club with no chance of really competing at the highest levels.

That tends to make me think a 3 year plan that might involve a quick trip to the bottom with a purpose is necessary. Primary to this is TT, JN, and Thabo working their way to their ceilings, whatever those might be. Somewhere along the way to the top, they need to get a difference maker. If they don't get a top lotto pick, they need big cap room. It would seem that the process of playing the kids under a mentoring staff, clearing cap room and getting a high pick are all the same, which was so exasperating about Boylan's all out effort to win a few extra games this year.

We would be a year ahead if Skiles/Boylan/Pax had faced facts on this season back in December. We might now be positioned for a much better shot at Rose/Beasly, or at least positioned well for best of the rest. Gordon/Deng might have been converted to a useful chip. Would Thabo be our sg/sf of the future? Who would work out best as his backcoourt mate? Is TT going to be more prone towards 20/10 games when he's the starter? All of these questions would be answered. Every minute that Wallace, Smith and Hughes played took us further away from being an NBA team with a clue of where it's going.

Either they aspire to be the elite franchise again, or just a profit center in Reinsdorf's empire. He really impressed me with his overly generous thank-you contracts for MJ. Crying shame that he chose Krauss over Jackson in their hissing contest. Not knowing what JR's higher priority is makes all of our speculation small talk.

by California Al on Apr 13, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Elton Brand?

Can we get Elton Brand back? I would gladly trade Deng and Heinrich for him; or is Brand going to be a free agent. Brand/Gray with Gooden/Nocioni and Noah/Thomas would be a awesome front line. Sefolosha 's emergence makes Heinrich expendable I'm thinking. Comments?!

by olds1962 on Apr 18, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Trade or buy- Elton Brand?-

I would trade Deng and Heinrich for Brand or is he a free agent soon?! Brand could/would make us aplayoff team again immediately. Brand being traded was the biggest mistake of the last ten years!!!

by olds1962 on Apr 18, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry - I meant Theus not Lewis

by chgobr on Apr 13, 2008 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

Other coaches.....

Mark Jackson and Terry Porter are two ex-players point guards that could certainly come handy for us.

Thing is with this bunch of group changes will need to be made in order to free up minutes.Too much depth leads to too much grumbling,inconsistent minutes and inconsistent performances.

by koskinar on Apr 13, 2008 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

Coaching, not roster, should be the first priority

The biggest way an underachieving team can improve is to just shake things up front, and it works in almost every sport. I'm all for Carlisle, and it appears we are going to have to fight the Bucks for him. Mark Jackson has demonstrated a great knowledge of the game, and as a former PG I feel like he can help the Bulls offense out. As long as the roster has a coach that they know has their back and believes in them, they are going to play next year like this season never happened. If Paxson wants to clear house and make drastic personnel changes, that will be fine by me as well. I just don't want to see him making panic moves to save his job, like trading for Jermaine O'Neal.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Apr 13, 2008 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

Rusty. you may be right on

the money when you speculate that as long as they get a coach who believes in them and has their backs, it could result in an immediate turnoaround, as if this nightmare season was just an abberation. I see no reason we have to limp along for the next few years to get back to being competitive in the East.

My recent diary fantasized we get Hubie Brown for one year to teach them what it takes to be winners. I would love to see Scottie Pippen and Stormin' Norman learn at his feet while instilling Bulls pride with their toughness and understanding of team play and hustle. How can this not be a huge improvement? Both Noah and Thomas have the potential to emulate some of Scottie's skills with their energy, guickness, passing and flashes of ball handling capabilities and Norm understands the role of a point guard more than most. Both were pit-bull defenders as well.

If those natural talents could be harnassed into a workable system, next year and beyond could be special. Of course this will require some possibly major tweaking by adding and subtracting players who fit into an uptempo scheme that relies on getting good looks, more buckets in the paint, better rebounding and hopefully adding height in the backcourt and more beef upfront. Isolating Gordon to save us at crunch time fails too often to be a useful weapon.

It seems the Bulls have enough tradeable pieces so that many of these voids can be filled in a hurry. Noce, Gordon, Duhon, but not Deng, and any other one on the roster except for TT, Thabo and Noah who can supply the athleticism needed to jumpstart a winner could be part of the mix.

by Tyrusmancrush on Apr 13, 2008 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

Love the optimism

but I don't see this cast becoming really competitive. It's a squad full of ok role players, but when it comes down to it, most opponents can shut them down at will. Since Boylan blew the opportunity to use this as a developmental year, we still have dues to pay. I'd settle for dead last next year, if we were to:

Install the right coach.
Traded our disposable assets for best value.
Drafted a point guard.
Got a high enough pick to get Demar Derozan in 2009. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=derozan&search_type= If someone pans out better, great!
Cleared enough cap room to be a real player in the upcoming offseasons.

by California Al on Apr 13, 2008 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I know the Bulls-Pacers got nasty

Towards the end of the dynasty, but I'd be interested in Reggie Miller. Smart, skilled, clever player who is barely out of the league, able to relate to the younger players, and command lots of respect. He needs more experience coaching I think, though, but someone like that might be good as an assistant or head coach. Jackson's interesting, but I'd prefer Reggie, even though he's in good enough shape to make the Bulls rather than coach them.

BAB Tyrus Love-Meter -- 8 - Deciding whether next season is going to be similar to Kemp 95-96 or better.

by cubbybear on Apr 13, 2008 7:37 PM CDT reply actions

All that and he sucks

as an announcer. If he's as smart as you say (and I agree) he is, he should already have career change on his mind.

by alec on Apr 13, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Ehh

I'm sure Reggie could make a fine head coach, but there are tons of players that fit that bill as well. Like I said before, any coach will turn this team around, as long as the players know that they are valued by the team, and the coach respects his players. If we wanted to go the ex-player route, the team still needs to have a sound coaching staff to back him up. Larry Bird won coach of the year because Carlisle was on the bench helping out with the offense. Phil may be a great coach, but he's always had Tex, Cleamons, Hamblen, Bach, some of the greatest assistants in the league. I don't think our coaching staff is all that great, thus the need for a more seasoned guy aka Rick Carlisle.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Apr 13, 2008 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I might have trouble

watching the team with Reggie as the announcer. He's one of my least fav players ever. He was a great shooter sure, but he also hammed it up all the time. I always remember his pleading to call a fould when Tayshawn Prince gave him the cleanest and best block I've ever seen in basketball.

I would be thankful to get Reggie off of the announcers booth (his voice is bad and his points are suspect), but I'd hate him to be the face of our team....

No Thanks.

by majoyenrac on Apr 14, 2008 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions

I meant

of course Reggie as the coach....God I hate Reggie Miller. He's my personal least fave player ever basically because while I watched Laimbeer and Thomas I was still young. I had to watch Reggie whine and moan and groan and whine and b!@ch and moan and whine and groan about non calls and his offensive flops all the time only to see him whine and moan and groan and whine and b!@ch and moan and whine and groan about non calls again and again and again.

He's such a d@$k.

I'd love to no longer have to hear him as an announcer because he's horribly bad...I wouldn't even care if he coached somewhere and they did good or very good (he was a good/very good player despite the whining and groaning....sorry I stopped myself....) but I certainly would hate to have to try to become a Reggie fan. He sealed the deal in Chicago when he was a player with that bowing crap.....

He was a very good player, but guys want to act like he's a top 5 SG of all time, which he most certainly was not....he's borderline hall of fame. THose few amazing moments in New York shouldn't offset his playoff disasters (namely that Pistons block by Tayshawn), his lack of Defense, his one-dimensionalness (although he was fabulous at that one-dimension)......he's borderline hall because he never tailed off too much from his peak, but he never had the highs either.....

I hated him when he was a player but I am being objective about him and the hall. Reggie's in the "in crowd" though with the media so I'm sure he'll get in, like Dumars before him.....

by majoyenrac on Apr 14, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't worry about the hall of fame

It's a big joke.

Stephen Curry is the lowpost answer!

by hscs on Apr 14, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

yup, pretty much

it's up there with 'Celtics retired jerseys'

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm glad we did the smart thing and let them roll

Course, Boylan's probably thinking he tried to win.

BAB Tyrus Love-Meter -- 8 - Deciding whether next season is going to be similar to Kemp 95-96 or better.

by cubbybear on Apr 13, 2008 8:19 PM CDT reply actions

Boylan could be back

He's still disciplining players and has developed Noah.

Deandre Jordan, the future hall of fame center for the bulls.

by armstrong2389 on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

Coaching

Avoid Carlisle. Mark Jackson's color comments are idiotic many times. But, Carlisle's method of coaching doesn't work any longer, he's a youthful relic in the mode of Scott Skiles. John Paxson as coach would position him be an Isiah Thomas clone. Coach Paxson's Bulls would then eclipse Thomas as the worst sports team in the history of the world. But all means don't lobby for Paxson to be coach, he's far to soft. Starbury ran the Knicks and he's an idiot, Thomas did nothing.

Duhon and Noc or Noah would run the Bulls, and Paxson would allow them too.
Paxson would only offer his familiar line after every loss game .. "We'll evaluate who should be captain at the end of the season"
Carlisle the opposite is a control freak.

by exult463 on Apr 14, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply actions

How many wins is a good coach worth?

I mean, this is a 50 loss team. Even if you assume that a good coach is worth 10 wins (which is a lot), that still only gets the Bulls to 40 wins. And it's not like the second coming of Red Auerbach or Phil Jackson is available - most of the candidates are either retreads who have already been fired elsewhere or assistants who have never been head coaches. As bad as Boylan has been, I definitely wouldn't assume that a good coach alone is going to magically turn this team around.

by Big D on Apr 14, 2008 7:51 PM CDT reply actions

well Boylan's beyond bad

so having a replacement-level coach is 10 wins. A great coach is 10 on top of that :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

A coach's worth is in his likability

The Bulls have quit on so many games, and it's because they obviously don't care about the season, and why would they when there's a dumbshit as a coach trying to hold his players accountable. Getting a new coach immediately brightens everyone's mood on that team. You don't think Tyrus will be excited just to see a new guy on the bench, thinking possibly they won't treat him like shit?

And not every guy was fired because of the same circumstances. Rick Carlisle was fired in Indiana because that franchise just absolutely imploded after the Palace brawl-something that was completely out of his control.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Apr 15, 2008 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions