I have no informed opinion of Collins, but I was hoping for some fresh blood in the organization.

How about this for speculative conspiracy: No way Collins puts together a too-competent staff. Could you imagine AGAIN being fired in favor of an assistant to only have suffered through the rebuilding years to watch someone else take over a championship team?

I’m glad Pax is hiring a new assistant coach too. Ron and Pete need to be pushed!

really i dont know about any of these guys that he is interviewing except Avery Johnson(i think he is Scott Skiles black twin anyway) so as long as they pick Rose i am cool with it

that KC got scooped by the Daily Herald.

whenever Collins covered a Bulls game he always seemed like he had a good knowledge of the Bulls players, and their strengths and weaknesses. He was usually spot on with his assessments…but then again, most of us are too

Sun-Times Bulls beat writer Brian Hanley broke the story today that Doug Collins will be the Bulls head coach.

The deal is expected to be announced sooner rather than later.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/fullcourtpress/2008/05/doug_collins_is_the_bulls_head.html#more

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/977280,collins052908.article

You’ve gotta think that this was Paxson’s first choice even though he moved on to D’antoni. He probably wanted Collins all along but did;nt think it was possible. I like that because it means we’re not settling for a coach after D’antoni screwed us. If Pax had his choice initially he would’ve taken Collins .

Plus I like the idea of Collins, a very smart basketball guy, assisting Paxson in evaluating the draft and the bulls current roster.

Collins clearly is knowledgeable about the game. It appears Paxson believes one of the assistants he interviewed has great potential as Head Coach. Collins can groom the Assistant. This allows Collins to see this as a temporay job which may decrease the pressure on him since he is very intense and appeared close to a breakdown in previous head coach jobs.

Collin’s knowledge and intensity can jump-start the team. He should grab the attention of the players. This may help us get off to a reasonable start for the first time in ten years.

get used to it folks….....http://www.23.pl/pix/cv/1jordan_collins86.jpg

a step down. I don’t know if I’d say a step up just yet, but definately not a step down

As I said in my fanpost-this is an awful move. Why would you recycle a coach who has never gotten a team to the Finals? This is in keeping with the Bulls organizational philosophy-the coach needs to be a disciplinarian, a screamer, someone who can keep those young punk players in line. He is not an innovative offensive or defensive coach, and don’t forget that he has the exact same reputation as Skiles-maybe OK for a rebuilding situation, but his teams tire of him quickly. I’m old enough to remember Collins’ first go-around with the Bulls-a big reason he was fired was because Pippen and Grant got sick of him. This is pure nepotism, Pax and Reinsdorf just mining the old-boy network.

Collins was my dark horse first choice in Orlando’s coach poll last week. Once the Bulls won the lottery, Paxson had to hire a "name" guy with head coaching experience.

My impression of Paxson is that he’s much happier in a supporting role (I tried to get 1958 to hire Pax as his lead proofreader a while back), and with a big personality like Doug Collins out front, Pax gets to slide back into the background.

because it’s kind of a letdown after everything, i guess. however, collins is a smart guy and there’s that. and he’s been relatively successful – i just worry about the pace of the team. i guess we’ll see.

though i’m definitely interested if we bring in a candidate from the list of interviewees as an assistant to take over – i liked most of the guys on his list.

does anyone know whether he is a Rose or Beasley guy? I’m hoping Rose!

better about this. Collins evokes memories of Michael Jordon. and Michael Jordan evokes memories of dynasties.

and Bulls Dynasties make me very very happy

As far as coaches go, my belief is that you should get guys that maximized their own abilities to be better than they should have been. I think a guy like that knows how to improve and picks up on advantages quicker than a guy who could get by on talent and athleticism alone. Not to say that you can’t have both in a player but would you rather have a guy like Ryan Leaf coaching or Doug Flutie?

I really don’t know where this puts me as far as Collins goes, but I guess there really was no “right” answer aside from the D’Antoni love. After that the only options were Avery Johnson and a million assistants looking for their break. So for those complaining about the hire…who would you rather the Bulls have gotten?

tonight’s spurs-lakers game has some added intrigue. It will be interesting to see if Collins broaches the topic during the telecast. Not sure how they could avoid it.

Triangle offense?

I just don’t get it. Paxson interviewed every candidate imaginable….and he gets to Doug Collins, a guy we were thinking about in like March? I was initially pissed off, but then I realized…..Collins just might end up being the best candidate out there! Look at what’s available….Thibodeau, Shaw, Corbin, these are guys that may or may not be fine coaches, but we don’t know what to expect of them. Doug Collins is a very intelligent guy, like we’re talking Hubie Brown basketball intelligence. The only problem with him in Chicago was that he worked too hard, burned himself and the players out. Will he be different as a middle-aged man? He’s a great offensive innovater, in all of Phil’s books he always expressed admiration with how easily Collins could draw up a play that would seem to work. I just feel so uneasy with him being hired after a whole month of random interviews, the D’Antoni fiasco, the Avery snub, etc.

he’s good with me

without being an Insider?

Some of these callers are just so dumb. Who are they pining for? Avery freaking Johnson. Seriously, if you don’t want Collins, at least suggest a viable alternatie. I am happy with this decision. We couldn’t get Carlisle or D’Antoni, so we are left with scraps, and that’s just the way it went. Collins has turned down several lucrative front office gigs, so this #1 pick obviously is very important to him. That also means he has a belief that drafting one more player will put this team back into immediate playoff contention.

WOW

Shock indeed.

But I’m hella happy.

I wanted a name coach.

” Chat with Chad Ford

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Ford Archive: Chats | Columns

Chad Ford: (1:01 PM ET ) Aloha everyone. I'm in Orlando at NBA pre-draft camp. The camp is so-so, but the rumors -- with every executive in the league here are running rampant. Let's roll ...

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Ryan, Chicago: Doug Collins in Chicago, is this a good fit?

Chad Ford: (1:04 PM ET ) I think so. He is one of the best teachers in the game. He's very passionate. He has a ton of experience and he's a big name in Chicago. He also has John Paxson's trust. After getting killed for messing up the Mike D'Antoni hire, I think this was the Bulls next best option. Collins will only be able to handle the stress for a couple of years if history plays out. But that gives the Bulls time to have him possibly groom a young successor.

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Alex (Chicago): With the Bulls hiring Doug Collins, I would love to see them bring in Jeff Hornacek as the top assistant and take over for Collins in 2-3 years. Is Paxson thinking about doing something like this?

Chad Ford: (1:05 PM ET ) I think so Alex. I think one of the reasons he interviewed so many young coaches was to start looking for a young guy who they could groom. I'd have Hornacek at the top of my list too. From everyone I speak with they think he'll be a great head coach someday"

Chris (dallas): Does this signal a rebuilding mode for the Bulls or win on the fly?

Chad Ford: (1:08 PM ET ) I think it means that Paxson believes that with the right coach, his young guys can win. He's adding a valuable No. 1 pick. He wants a good teacher who will help them learn to win again. I think this signals that the Bulls feel they can get right back in the mix.

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Nick (Chicago): How does Doug Collins affect the Bulls draft? “

The last time Collins coached was in 2003….the NBA was not particularly up-tempo at the time (Dallas and Sacramento and NJ probably the only “fast-paced” offenses in the league at the time). He also had a horribly shitty roster that was best suited for half-court play (Stack and MJ

New coach, new broadcasters, new players, 1st pick are the bulls still playing in Chicago?

I know who are we? But hey, we definitely are alot better than last year. We need to head in a completely new direction.

Remember the coach is not the big concern for this team. As long as the deal to Collins is short, a maximum of three years, that is fine. It is about getting a star (Derrik Rose), a leader (Derrik Rose), and a new attitude (Derrik Rose). Looks like Rose is the man.

86-87: Last in pace factor, 12th offensive rating, 11th defensive rating
87-88: Pace Factor: 95.5 (23rd of 23)
Offensive Rating: 109.0 (9th of 23) / Defensive Rating: 105.5 (3rd of 23)
88-89: Pace Factor: 97.0 (23rd of 25)
Offensive Rating: 109.1 (12th of 25) / Defensive Rating: 107.7 (11th of 25)
95-96: Pace Factor: 87.7 (28th of 29)
Offensive Rating: 107.9 (15th of 29) / Defensive Rating: 105.1 (7th of 29)
96-97: Pace Factor: 84.5 (28th of 29)
Offensive Rating: 110.6 (5th of 29) / Defensive Rating: 104.4 (11th of 29)
97-98: Pace Factor: 88.2 (24th of 29)
Offensive Rating: 105.3 (13th of 29) / Defensive Rating: 103.5 (9th of 29) (Fired halfway through)
01-02: Pace Factor: 88.3 (27th of 29)
Offensive Rating: 104.8 (12th of 29) / Defensive Rating: 106.4 (21st of 29)
02-03: Pace Factor: 88.2 (26th of 29)
Offensive Rating: 103.0 (21st of 29) / Defensive Rating: 104.1 (18th of 29)

He knows first hand how Collins coaches and believes this fits with our players. Paxson is adding an assistant he believes is good head coaching material. I continue to believe this is a good move.

Also from KC…

One of the many younger coaches Paxson also has interviewed is expected to land on Collins’ staff.

Have any good history with big men?

I’m not too sure Tyrus or Joakim can flourish under him.

that they may not be able to recover, despite doing so the previous couple of years. He proved to be right-on. He picked up something that was ominous. I’ve always thought his TV announcer game perceptions were as good as anyone. How that translates into a return to coaching will begin to unfold in November.

I think that’s the silver lining about this hire. I wasn’t too enthused about it at first. But the Bulls are the youngest team in the NBA, and they just got a pass for another year or two of development by getting the #1 pick in the draft.

I read an interview of Dirk Nowitzki, in which he implied that Avery Johnson either never asked or plain didn’t know where Dirk preferred to catch the ball before shooting. I became very concerned at that time about the possibility of AJ as coach. Hiring a coach that actually knows how to teach and motivate (young) players isn’t a bad thing. I think Collins is one of the best and safest choices for the young Bulls among the current coaching candidates.

And Collins won’t feel the pressure to have to win every game, every night, as other coaches might – especially young, first-time coaches who need to prove themselves and establish their ‘name’. Wasn’t that our problem at the end of last season, with ‘He who shall remane nameless on BlogaBull’? He was attempting to win every game by playing veterans at the obvious expense of the younger players who needed teaching as well as coaching. Remember the reports that several players had hired their own video assistants?

I don’t think there will be a night where Doug Collins thinks “I’m so worried about my job that I think it’s best if I start Hinrich or Hughes over Rose because of their veteran presence and the fact that we must win X of our final Y games to make the playoffs, so I can keep my job.” In this respect I think Collins is a GREAT hire over a first-time coach.

Don’t know what to think.

I didn’t expect this. Then again, out of the coaches out there, he’s one of the most known quantities, even if he’s not going to shake up the team as much as a young assistant.

Gotta adjust to this for a while.

Says here they haven’t hired him yet. And it was updated just a few minutes ago.

Statement from John Paxson Regarding the Chicago Bulls Head Coaching Search:

"I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position. Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement. Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference Finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options."

Team Win increase
Bulls +10
Pistons +18
Wizards +18

Pax says…on Bulls.com

"I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position. Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement. Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference Finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options."

...now all we need is Benny to jump in as assistant coach/t-shirt gunner!

He was asked his pick, between Beasley and Rose.

His answer: Rose

and is he worth his weight in oil? my cherry red chevy blazer is killing me!

I’m ok with it. I imagine there could have been other possibilities, and maybe some better, but this might work ….

I think Collins emphases offensive? a good defensive assistant would be good to add to the mix.

A spokesperson for the network told the Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein that Craig Sager will interview Collins regarding the matter during TNT’s telecast of Game 6 on Thursday between the Lakers and Spurs.

Collins released his own statement Thursday afternoon: “I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference Finals.

“There is no agreement in place.”

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi080529-doug-collins-chicago-bulls,1,4541691.story

He reminds me of Brook Lopez.

talking about Doug. When trying to figure why he all of a sudden wanted to coach again, mentioned about how much Doug lloooovvess Reinsdorf :)

screaming and sweating through every game next season….the more I think this hire sortof blows.

Does have a point

“If Bulls job doesn’t kill Collins, it will make them stronger
I like Doug Collins talking basketball, but I hate Doug Collins coaching the Bulls, and here’s why:

The Doug Collins who talks basketball is the calm, reasoned, insightful, brilliant analyst. Think Steve Stone in short shorts.

But the Doug Collins who coaches is a nut. He’s crazy. He makes amphetamines feel like they’re valium.

I was hoping the rumor wasn’t true. But it apparently will become a true fact. And I see bad things happening.

Mostly to Collins, not so much the Bulls.

Collins is sort of a Buck Showalter story—he takes a team from Point A to Point B and someone else gets the C(hampionship). See Joe Torre and Bob Brenly for details on Showalter.

You know the Collins-Phil Jackson handoff history.

So, Collins’ teams get better. Collins himself gets worse.”

This is from Halberstam’s book Playing for Keeps.

“He was passionate, extremely driven, and very bright. No one understood the flow of a game better than Collins. Sometimes it seemed to his players that he was almost too smart.”

Former Collins and Bulls assistant Johnny Bach told Halberstam, “If you could call 30 timeouts a game, he’d win every game.”

There are way too many things going on with this team right now, I don’t know which way is up. Some reputable people are guaranteeing the Bulls take Rose, while others say Beasley is a lock. Then people say that Rose doesn’t even want to play in his hometown! Now, Doug Collins is the coach, or so it appears. Does that mean the Bulls are interested in trading the pick for proven veteran help (as heard on Boers and Berenstein)? God I hope not. It also appears as though every single player on our team is possibly on the trading block. This is just insanity and I wish I could just wake up right before training camp begins.

http://chicagobull.blogspot.com/2008/05/on-doug-collins-and-pace.html

Much has been made over at Blogabull about the fact that Collins’ teams finished in the bottom of the league in pace during his tenure as the Bulls head coach from 1986-89.

While this is true, I wouldn’t use one random statistic to determine the validity of whether or not the man can coach. If you look at the teams that finished 1st in Pace during Collins’ tenure, you’ll see the Denver Nuggets lead every year.

While that’s all well and good for the Nuggets, their high pace didn’t necessarily lead them to the NBA Finals as they were only able to make it as far as the Western Conference Semifinals in 1987.

With so many comments in this one diary i have to consider that someone has already thrown this theory out there, althought due to my lack of of time i dont have time to look for this (im sure theres an easy way which i havent yet considered nor will at this point in time) but doug collins may mean pax gets beasley.

The guy coached jordan, he implements a slow system, i dont know how d. rose’s strenghts will fit into such a system. That of course doesnt mean that the system cant change and that d. rose might fit in perfectly to this new system, but what if pax thinks he can turn beasley into the next jordan or something. Someone who can compete with the lebrons of the world. Except we give our lebron a better cast (to no doubt make up for beasley not being “the ‘bron” ) its a thought i had immediately when i heard we were getting doug collins.

I was on the road and heard alot from an interview with craig saiger on the score. He was basically talking about how he was perplexed and something big must have been brought up to get doug collins to coach. He talked about when the last time he asked doug collins about coaching doug answered that he was happy with his family life and the lack of stress in announcing. he also brought up a story when doug was telling kwame what he should do to become a better player and kwame raised his hand to doug and said something like ‘coach, i am what i am, aint nobody gonna change me’,

i dont have a link and i have to run off now but i thought id share that just in case no one else has yet.