Thibodeau = JVG?

by vanillablue on May 27, 2008 11:57 AM CDT

The list of "candidates" Pax is interviewing for coach is kind of a joke. Anyone else remember Chuck Person punting a ball into the upper deck of the old Stadium after getting kicked out of a Bulls-Pacers game? And now he's a serious coaching candidate?

I'm sure Pax is just waiting for the playoffs to be over so he can make a run at Tom Thibodeau. All we know about him right now is his reputation as a "defensive guru", which may be justified. But what about the other half of the game--you know, offense? Here's where I get worried.

Look at Thibodeau's resume. He started out in the NBA working for Bill Musselman in Minnesota, then (after some time in Seattle and San Antonio) spent five years as an assistant in NY under Jeff Van Gundy, followed by two more years with JVG in Houston, before going to Boston before last season.

So, in other words, Thibodeau was responsible for some of the most ugly, boring, and downright unwatchable basketball in the NBA's last 25 years. Those late '90's Knicks teams were an abomination, and JVG's Houston teams weren't any more entertaining. JVG exemplifies the worst type of control-freak coach who would rather lose a game 79-78 than win 120-118.

Yes, JVG has been a relatively successful coach--though he's infinitely better as a commentator. But there's no way I want him as head coach of the Bulls, and a guy who spent 7 years as his assistant is almost certainly going to coach the same way--especially since the Bulls don't have anywhere near the level of talent the Celtics have this season on the offensive end. If Thibodeau's the coach, expect lots of scores in the 70's, and get used to watching Derrick Rose walk the ball up the court and look at Thibodeau on every posession to see what play to run.

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Hope that Paxson stays true to his spoken desire to fit a coach to the roster and not the roster to the coach

If Thibodeau’s desire is to drastically slow things down and play a half court D, he’s not going to do very well with this team as currently constructed. If he is hired, I’m sure he’d have to express to Paxson that he’s amenable to working his “system” to the players’ strengths.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 27, 2008 12:22 PM CDT reply actions

He hasnt been a head coach yet...

“So, in other words, Thibodeau was responsible for some of the most ugly, boring, and downright unwatchable basketball in the NBA’s last 25 years.”

Thibedeau was an assistant coach on those teams so he cant be soley responsible, and given his credit as a defensive mastermind, i would imagine he was only brought in to teach defense not to teach offense. Not saying your theory is completely wrong, but just looking at his resume doesnt really give us a good look at his abilities, and just because the teams were poor offensively the blame cannot soley fall on the assistant. Afterall we didnt blame boylan for the suckitude until after he became (interim) head coach. If we get thibedeau then we should land a few offensive minded assistants (just like if we had gotten d’antoni we should have landed defensive minded coaches to keep the whole offense defense balance thing).

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on May 27, 2008 12:55 PM CDT reply actions

the assistants will be...

Ron Adams and Pete Myers, for starters (what is with Reinsdorf’s loyalty to these guys?)

Seriously, in a perfect world hiring Thibodeau along with an “offensive coordinator” assistant would be ideal. But I think most head coaches, especially new ones, want to bring aboard their buddies rather than have the modesty to hire assistants who complement them. In theory, it could be useful that Reinsdorf/Paxson insist on some control over assistant coach hiring. Based on their statements so far, though, seems like they just want a defensive guy as head coach and leadership (whatever that means) in the locker room. Since the demise of the triangle, the Bulls haven’t had any sort of coherent offensive philosophy, and I haven’t heard Pax or Reinsdorf acknowledge that once.

vanillablue.wordpress.com

by vanillablue on May 27, 2008 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

In an old kc article

Kc interviewed someone who talked about credibility being a big factor in coaching an up and coming team, because coaches who have experience or are renowned are more likely to be able to get the players to listen. IN that sense i would think despite thier obvious weaknesses guys like Avery Johnson and jvg and to an extent even thibodeau might be alright to control a team. I am not sure how good Pete Meyers and Ron Adams are as assistants but maybe they are good enough to get some offense in a team led by a defensive mastermind.

link to the article: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-080517-chicago-bulls-coaching-vacancy,1,1955710.story

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on May 27, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

The clocking is ticking

and the choice of a bad or wrong coach will be detrimental for the third go around.
A strictly defensive coach with a slow motion offense will be detrimental to this team.
Not selecting Derrick Rose will be detrimental.
Keeping those assistants (Adams & possibly Meyers) is a waste of space and effort.

Why couldn’t the first words delivered from Paxson in Noah’s situation be “I don’t have the details, but we will do whatever is possible to support our player, yes we’re disappointed, but these things happen...”

Instead ever predicatable Paxson’s first words in print media …

John Paxson told Noah of “his disappointment in his actions,” but the team has withheld further comment.

Paxson you’re on the clock…...

by exult463 on May 27, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

uhh no

You’ll never hear a statement like “we will do whatever is possible to support our player, yes we’re disappointed, but these things happen…” because that makes it sound too much like they think the offense is OK.

I actually don’t have a problem with his short little statement. Yeah it was very much Paxson-speak, but at least it was something.

I don’t even care if he doesn’t handle this Noah issue until next season. If it means putting it off until they hire a coach, so be it.

by NormVanBeer on May 27, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

in retrospect

you’re right normVanBeer.. actually the response seems supportive because the reporter probably received the “disappointment” phase directly from Noah.

My apology to Pax. Still I hope he hires the right coach.

by exult463 on May 27, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions