Guys, I'm starting to worry about our guy Paxson here
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:08 PM CDT
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PrintEspecially weird Pax-speak after the Boylan wake on Thursday:
"I'm not going into this thing, 'I've got to have this kind of person,' I can tell you that," Paxson said. "I'm going into it open-minded and with the belief that I'm going to try to find someone that I think can connect with our organization, resonate with our fans and be the right guy that can get us back on the winning track.
"Contrary to what has been written, I don't have any one person in mind that I want to go after to get this job. I'm not going to worry about a timetable. I'm not going to worry about anyone getting hired in the meantime.
"I'm going to do as thorough a search as I can to find someone that I think will fit the organization and give us direction going forward. I think we need some real leadership from that position."
(Before I rant on nearly every word he said, I acknowledge that Paxson is likely lying or at least embellishing about some of this. It's either that or he's overmatched as a GM, so I'd choose to believe the former.)
First of all, it's unforgivable (if it's true) that he has no preconceived leading candidate, let alone no idea what kind of candidate to look for. Not only should starting an informal coaching search have been deemed necessary after seeing a week of Boylan, he should have replacements in mind even when Skiles was coach. Pax is playing it off as being thorough, but I consider it unprepared.
And notice the quick jab at the media when saying "contrary to what has been written". Yet another example of Paxson giving too much worry (i.e., any) to that darned 'misinformation' out there that keeps him from doing his job. For someone who isn't worried, he sure spends a lot of time saying how he isn't worried.
And worse yet, he should be worried, if it's regarding the possibility that someone is hired in the meantime. What if they're the best choice? Right, he doesn't even have an idea what criteria he'll be looking for, let a lone who fits that. Holy crap.
And then there's the pandering to the fans. I don't want the coach to "resonate" with me. I don't even care if he "connects with the organization", as even Pax has said that the same organization needs to be reevaluated at all levels (And it sounds like he's right on that point. Of course, no part of that reevaluation involves canning 'organizational guys' Myers and Adams, though they weren't promised seats on the bench either).
For contrast, look to Ben Gordon, who said regarding his preferred style of coach: "It really doesn't matter to me, I think we just need a coach who knows the result is winning." I feel the same way, as winning will resonate just fine. Pax should be even less worried about the fans than the press when it comes to this.
For a guy who's supposed strong suits include dealing with the media, Pax sure finds ways to irk me often. And the examples above wouldn't get to me so much if he didn't reinforce them every chance he got, and worse yet make personnel moves that echo them. It's a pattern that's getting harder to explain away.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 7:56 PM CDT reply actions
It's a sales job
Like a lot of other guys doing poorly in a sales job, a lot of what he said lacked substance and seemed like pandering. In fact, the amount of spin he put into his statements and the number of buzz words or catch phrases was alarming--though he failed to add the once popular "accountability" and "synergy" and "culture of winning".
When you hear this kind of stuff it feels like he takes you for a fool. Especially since a lot of Bulls fans have very sensitive b.s.-meters. Not only that, but that's a lot of feelgood fluff and nonsense from the guy who in the past has preached anything but.
"Resonate with our fans"
I'm just going to pretend I don't mind.
There might be quite a few
Maybe he learned his lesson with Skiles
He's said he's keeping an open mind, what's wrong with that? I'm sure he has a list of coaches and he'll be able to narrow it down from there.
by RogersPark Kris on Apr 17, 2008 8:14 PM CDT reply actions
What the hell is wrong with this franchise...
BTW, I am a fan, I am a season ticket holder. I know many other fans, and many other season ticket holders, including the ones here. None of them have ever voiced any deep longing for character or grit. All of them simply want to win. It's as if Paxson is pandering to an obsolete sterotype of blue-collar Chicago sports fans, fans who no longer even exists in reality, fans who certainly aren't paying tens of thousands of dollars for Bulls season tickets.
maybe you sit too close
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm OK with one gritty, character guy
But, yeah, this obsession with creating a whole team of gritty, character who should come off the bench is a bit of a problem, to say the least. It sure makes the start of first and third quarters problematic.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
I guess that is a good point.
They were more popular when Nocioni was actually playing decent basketball and the Bulls were actually winning.
I was kidding a bit
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Do the season ticket holders get together?
I know Bears season ticket holders and they tell me they get together with people in the same section in the off season generally to talk Bears, but they also talk about putting pressure on the club.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I think
I bet this due dilligence will be talk that will ease into, well I hired this NBA rookie coach again basically because Reinsdorf doesn't want me to spend any more money seeing that I've already f'd up this franchise this year....
I mean how can he not have his coaching search narrowed down to 3 guys, he's had since Dec 24th to hire his real coach (well maybe he's had since late Jan before it was clear Jimmy Boylan wasn't the right choice)....
Maybe Sam Vincent will become available....
Mike Woodson might be better now that he's a coach with "playoff experience".
"Mark Iavonni too has done a damn fine job in Memphis and might be fired for it too.
Of course Larry Krystowiak is already living close by and now he's unemployed....hey why not him too.
Of course I'm kidding.....but it would be a sad event if this organization goes for cheap again with the coach. I really wish they didn't do this interim thing coming into the most important summer for this franchise post 1998 (Deng and Gordon are HUGE decisions and I'm not so sure Pax has proven worthy of making big, objective decisions).
We'll see, if he f's up this summer Paxson will likely be out as Bulls GM by this time next year. It's a shame as I want to like Pax, one of my bball idols as a kid, and a Chicago legend.
they went cheap with Phil Jackson
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
So all they need is a cheap, no name coach
I know they
There aren't many Phil Jackson's out there--actually there's only one NBA Phil Jackson and he's on the Lakers now and might be the best coach (or top 5 at least inarguably) of all time....
There are some VERY good coaches out there but we tend to try to spend little on the coaches in this city just to drastically overpay the players (Lou Pinella notwithstanding I guess)...
Kind of funny that Kirk and Ben in their comments
gah!
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
(not on the west coast)
New Bucks GM John Hammond
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
"the man that Larry was"
that'd be bad news
by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions
oh boy...
by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Sports2, check out Sam Smith's latest
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice find, Observer
Both Sam and KC were on cltv last night, and true to form, KC sat there like the dim-witted sidekick (I think he said about two words the whole show)...while Sam went with opinion after opinion, after funny anecdote after funny anecdote.
Great find!
He also had all kinds of interesting anecdotes about various players and coaches, like how Elden Campbell played with a $100 bill tucked in his sock to keep him focused in his contract year.
--------------------------
About GM's, I just want a guy with a freaking plan, and I don't see much in the way of vision for how winning basketball is played from the current one. I'd be perfectly happy with an older guy like Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Wayne Embry, guys that have proven they're more than a soundbite or a flash in the pan. I'd be happy luring away a guy like Bower who's succeeded in circumstances that were probably tougher than anything faced by big-market Chicago.
Bower did get some help from Atlanta
Any time you're talking GM moves and the draft there will be some luck involved. We Bull fans know about Sam Bowie.
I'd love to have Jerry Colangelo as GM who will soon be free from his USA Basketball commitment. ;) Watch your back Pax.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
sounds to me
I'd make a comment about reading between the lines, but I think this diary was just about tearing Paxson down a little to keep exult on your side. :-p
Pretty sure that's what it is
and he knows he won't be able to get him until after the play-offs.
by alec on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:37:17 PM CST
[ Parent | Reply to This ]
what's with that sig?
by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
right
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I was just surprised
I had thought
If that's it
the reason is
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions
so he can't even say he knows what type
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
*type of coach
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
He doesn't
fine, then go into Krause mode
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
plus this all goes back to the fact that
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
for half a season
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
he was beyond 'not good'
I'm independently blaming Paxson for hiring that buffoon and even worse not telling him what to do.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
he was the best choice at the time
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
fine, but then he botched how it was handled
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
and yesterday he was fired
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
huh?
We're here to talk about the past, Mr. McGwire.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
by all means...
Do we really need to get into a debate over what's an appropriate timeframe to 'move on' from analyzing mistakes, a time beyond of going over their impact and relevance to confidence regarding future moves? really? you're that big of a pain in the ass? I mean, your act would work better if you were someone with more to say.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
you're probably right
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
and that's fine
I do get upset when it's suggested whether something's relevant or not to even discuss. If you don't think it's worth discussing, don't contribute to the discussion.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I was talking more in the congressional sense
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
So...
Also, could you elaborate on what, in particular, your diametrical opposition to the "throw the baby out with the bathwater" mob entails? Forgive me if I'm mistaking you for someone else, but I though you told me getting rid of Luol Deng, who's generally been considered our best player over the last couple of years, needed to be the Bulls' first priority.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with that position. In fact, I find it quite a bit more interesting than discussions of diametrical opposition and babies and bath water.
although I do find it interesting
I'd think casting off the best players on the team would be throwing out the babies.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
upgrading, not getting rid of
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Finishing
http://www.nba.com/hotspots/
read it again
Fine,
82 Games shows Inside Scoring
According to them:
39% of Deng’s shots were inside, and he made 60.6%
21% of Noc’s shots were inside and he made 55.7% of them.
They’ve actually got a sortable list so you can go through and compare them to other guys around the league.
It's an interesting comparison
despite all the injuries Deng, he played 100 more minutes than Noc who played in all 82 games. They both took roughly the same number of shots. The only evidence I (besides watching the games) is that Noc had a lower ast’d percentage on his close and dunks compared to Deng implying that Noc was more likely to drive on his own. Deng was more likely to get his close and dunks on plays where he was making a cut, not off of the dribble. I wasn’t trying to say that Noc should start over Deng, just that he has a more aggressive style on offense that I’d like to see either the SG or SF have. The fact that Deng had almost twice the percentage of close and dunks that Noc had also probably means that he is going to rim, just in the context of the offense, not while rying to create his own shot.
2008 or bust.
You're wasting your own time, dude.
What were the
I prefer my version
I want some confidence from the guy that he knows what he's doing. Instead he's talking about the media and fans first. Does that mean he's actually more concerned about the media and fans? No, but he says it all the time and it's annoying. God forbid he tips his hand and says "I have some candidates in mind".
He's still above-average. Even in this abysmal season, he nailed the Noah pick and scammed someone into taking Ben Wallace. But he hasn't done a good enough job where I can just assume the crap coming out of his mouth is some grand master scheme.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
For every John Calipari
by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Paxson's first priority, make money?
And by 'make money' I really mean 'make the playoffs without spending any more money'.
Did you read the story today that says Boylan was still paid his same assistant coaches salary for the rest of the season? I would have thought they at least gave the guy a slight raise to account for his increased responsibility even if he was an interim coach.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
heh
That's not a bad reason, just makes it look worse that they were indeed trying yet were still were so bad at executing that plan it looked like they weren't (to bullshooter).
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Since snley turned me on to Karl's DRTG
Karl's been there ever since. Although, he may get fired if he can't get the Nuggets to the 2nd round.
The point here is that you can hire a new coach midseason and turn a team around even if they arrive from outside the organization.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions
EXACTLY!!
The bunker
Huh
I don't see how that's any of John Paxson's concern. Shouldn't he be focused on, you know, actually getting a coach instead of wasting his breath on whether someone is going to second guess him?
I didn't mean to
Agreed, he doesn't
my auapicions exactly
by California Al on Apr 18, 2008 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions
It is really possible
I just don't think reading between the lines will shed any insight. I wish that it did. I don't dislike Pax, and wish he finds a way out to save face and his sanity. This isn't a easy job, but currently it's his and he accepted it.
This situation that's occurring now shouldn't be reviewed in isolation? Look at the current roster, look at the current players stats, look at the win-loss record, review draft picks in light of what-ifs, look at the current players signed, unsigned and the amount of salary promised. Skiles and Boylan didn't have primary responsibility of selecting and signing the players.
Others have stated the situation, Paxson bet the farm and entrusted everything to Coach-GM Skiles. That ship sank.
Paxson is an integrity guy and very consistent with his words. "He evaulates players at the end of the season", not calling them in his office during the season. Hired interim coach, and stated I'll "evaulate Boylan after the season" (Heck! everyone on BaB wanted Boylan Ax after 3 games). "At the end of season fires interim Boylan". After some period (2 months?) he'll consider candidates for a coach replacement?
You can read thru the lines if you want too, but I take Paxson at his word.
Agree - Paxson is doing the right thing
Hot commodity:Thibodeau
with all the troubles here .... instead of potentially
Atlanta, Charlotte, and Memphis
Heat, Bucks
Looks like the Heat could be a good situation for a rookie head coach.
What do you think bullshooter...
We can always wait like we did for Garnett, Gasol, Kobe, and next Thibodeau.
Pat Riley
Then again, they have good talent(two great players), and a high pick coming.
Yes
Riley the GM or Riley the coach and back seat driver? This sometimes can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the chemistry between the two individuals. But, cooperation, communication, sharing between and two can have its merits.
I think Stan Van Grundy is a good coach, Riley seem to sense that the margin of error to win the championship that year was small and he chose to lead the helm. While, some consider it an unpopular decision it work to perfection for Riley with the help of Dirk. :)
If Riley gives up coaching, I'm sure this issue will be hammered out by the next Heat coach in conversations with Riley. Also it might give the new coach a slight edge in negotiations. In addition, as a rookie coach do you think Riley could also be a good choice as a mentor?
Here's
Shaw is a guy I want to read more about
The Reggie Theus performance in Sacramento is something that intrigues me. I really thought the Kings were going to be terrible, but to close the season they were getting Spencer Hawes minutes as their center. They had injuries all season long. They traded Bibby. They played in the West. And they still won 5 more games than us.
The Kings are having trouble organizing a new arena deal. The market is already small. The Maloofs seem like the coolest ownership group in the league. So even in a down year they still win 38 games with a first year, first time NBA head coach?
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions
I like the Shaw
I'm less a fan of his argument for Adrian Dantley citing Denver's success in the post. Denver's post success is due to the talent they have not the coaching, as Melo's continued defensive deficincies will attest to.
Based on the awful Denver D despite the talent, I don't want AD as our head coach, but I wouldn't mind seeing him as a big man coach...assistant with us.
Also
Paxson applauds this comment
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmm, is Mike Brey on the fast track?
How about Digger Phelps? John MacLoud? Maybe Matt Doherty?
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
What is this guy still a NBA Coach
What a crock!
I'd gladly take George Karl
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
you'd change your tune
He also thought Tim Thomas was going to be a superstar. Ha!
Plus, he's a huge, huge drama queen.
As long as the team was winning 50+ games
A lot of people thought Tim Thomas
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Can you link me?
Also, would this data include this season?
I think the Nuggets are a terrible defensive team, but if they're in the upper half of this data I want to learn why.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
it's pace adjusted
Is there a list view per season
I'm looking at Skiles' teams to see their respective ORTG and DRTG as well as this Pythagorean W/L formula.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
holy crap
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I was, found nothing
Lunch does recharge the body.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
What, is that guy still a sports writer?
Karl sucks
The job he did with the Sonics in the 90s was close to pathetic. They always smoked the Rockets, but he couldn't get them past the Nuggets in the first round when MJ was retired.
by BullsFanInSeattle on Apr 18, 2008 10:43 AM CDT reply actions
Henry also thinks
Who is going to fix the culture in Chicago ? He asks.
What is the deal with Paul Westphal?
I remember he did a great job with the Suns, a team that basically consisted of a pf and pg. Yes, they were all-nba'ers Barkely and KJ, but Westphal had that team playing really exciting basketball for a lot of years.
johnson wasn't a true point guard
Paul Wastphal sucks
by Conor on Apr 18, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Stormin Normin for Coach!!!!!
He's all about hard work,
Not afraid of the media or the players,
Definitely would be entertaining!
before we hang pax...
however, if he hires someone like paul westphal, i am joining matt's lynch mob
by Conor on Apr 18, 2008 2:05 PM CDT reply actions
heh
Anyway...Thibodeau is fine. Although I don't think it will take anyone special to get this team back to a good defensive team, they just have to try again. I wouldn't mind them taking a shot at someone who may get this team at an offensive level beyond "fucking terrible".
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
that is true
but if pax royally fucks this up, ie another shitty year, then a lynch mob maybe necessary.
by Conor on Apr 18, 2008 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
The funny thing about the offense
It's the defensive rating where we dropped off the earth. 107.2 this season and 99.6 last season.
Compared to the entire league we were 26th in ORTG this year and 21st last year. In DRTG we were 14th this season and 1st last season.
I too was in the metaphoric TV throwing frame when watching the offense this year, but the defense made me want to watch Oprah.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
well there was farther to fall in defense
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Um... that's the point about the offense...
I still think they either need to go with someone who is good in player development for 3-4 years and see what comes, or go with someone who is damn good on offense.
yeah
by Conor on Apr 18, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Please bring Pippen to the organization
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
how many times is this brought up?
...but Pax brought Pippen back into the organization as a pseudo-player-coach years ago, and Pip made such an impression that they bought him out months before his contract was up.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Second look at Adrian Griffin
Paxson is and should be desperate at this point.
by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
desperate to give Pip a paycheck?
Once we hire Hakeem to teach Sene the dream shake through osmosis, comment levels will drop tremendously.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I kind of like Dwane Casey
Shaw, the Triangle, and
Sam Smith on Paxson
http://www.670thescore.com/pages/153118.php?contentType=34&contentId=1800
(hattip to RealGM board)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions
listening on
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Of all the coaching possibles
I get the impression Pax wants someone...
He's looking forward to hearing the players ideas about what went wrong and how to get back.
He's looking forward to hearing coaching candidates' ideas about what the best way to go is.
I understand the need to listen to what other people have to say, but in the words of Scott Skiles, "This is not a democracy".
Pax is the GM. He's the guy who has to lead this thing, and he gives every impression of looking around for someone to tell him what to do.
Calling someone who knows...
I'm thinking of getting it as a birthday gift for a stat-minded high schooler.
Am I thinking of the right book?
Thanks.
I don't remember that conversation
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Was it you, bullshooter?
I remember when
I think it was sbulls.
It wasn't me as I've yet to read the book myself.
Incidentally Carlisle was on ESPN Radio
wow carlisle
nba headline
Can they just rename their team to the Clevaland LeBrons? It would clear up any notion that the other players are involved in a win.
Worst case scenario finals: Spurs vs LeBrons
MarketMaker...
MarketMaker,
You bet me that Kobe wouldn't win the MVP.
http://www.blogabull.com/comments/2008/4/11/142120/986/97#97
Since the season is now over will you stand behind that claim?
Chris Paul is awesome
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