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Your Friday coaching search update

Blogabull_tiny by your friendly BullsBlogger on

The honors today go to Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald:

A league insider believes the Bulls are comfortable choosing between D'Antoni and Johnson, two former NBA coach of the year winners.

If neither works out, they'll likely wait to talk to Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau and Detroit assistant Michael Curry, who are both busy with the playoffs. Thibodeau has been mentioned as a possible replacement for D'Antoni in Phoenix.

...

Once Skiles was hired by the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bulls should have been off the hook for his remaining salary. As it turned out, the Bulls will pay Skiles $3 million more than they needed to, but that in itself won't effect the current coaching search.

The Bulls don't want to sign anyone for five years because most NBA coaches don't last that long. Neither D'Antoni nor Johnson made it five full years with their previous teams, though D'Antoni could technically still return to the Suns.

D'Antoni is known for running a fast-paced offensive attack. The Bulls would mostly likely ask that he keep a veteran assistant coach on staff to focus on defense and recommend holdover Ron Adams for the role.

Good to know that at least in one reporter's eyes, the Skiles money isn't holding the Bulls back.  And not wanting to give a coach a 5-year contract is certainly reasonable. Marc Stein reports that the Knicks will offer 5 years, with the Bulls giving their proposal by "Sunday at the latest". Stein's e-buddy Ric Bucher says that D'Antoni's leaning towards the Knicks, yet "sources close to the process contend D'Antoni remains determined to go to Chicago as long as the Bulls assemble a quality offer."

So, whatever. What's more important to get to the bottom of is finding out what kind of spell Ron Adams has over this organization. Why have any holdovers at all?

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meanwhile

the trib still reports that pax wants to interview thibodeau, and this can go on for months. i hope that report is true and we make an offer by sunday!

by Jaina on May 9, 2008 8:24 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

The Bulls, well, Reinsdorf, really,

has a lot to decide right now.

I don’t play poker, but it feels a little like one of those "All In" moments you see on TV. Reinsdorf probably has to go 5 years and 30 million for D’Antoni…and at the same time make big decisions, probably 5 year commitments, on both Gordon and Deng.

How good does he think this hand will be? Good enough to win? If he doesn’t think he can win by re-signing Gordon and Deng, paying D’Antoni—and placing his blind faith in Paxson—he will likely fold and wait for the next deal.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:31 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Will he go 4 years 7 million,

and pay him Rick Adelman money?

It seems to me that implicit in the Knicks offering 5 years is that they want D’Antoni there in two years when the superstars start coming available to entice these guys to New York. They’re willing to pay up front for the opportunity.

It also will take two years to get the deadwood off their roster, and in the meantime they’ll likely get two more lottery picks. It’s a good, forward-thinking plan by Walsh.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

it actually lacks foresight

5 years with one team is a best case scenario for a coach. They just don’t last that long, and the Knicks should know, because they keep paying coaches to not coach.

by hscs on May 9, 2008 8:51 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

exactly

Brown lasted 1 season, Isaiah 2…what makes D’Antoni any different? The most I would go would be 4 years.

by NormVanBeer on May 9, 2008 8:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I get what you're saying.

Obviously, Walsh thinks D’Antoni is a solid, long-term bet.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

alec wake up

Walsh knows he has to offer 5 years for D’Antoni to even consider the deal because it is going to take two years just to strip down and rebuild the roster. Walsh can’t hold the coach accountable for their for at least those two years, and probably a third.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 8:56 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:59 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No, he's on second

I feel like I am sinking in a pile of BaB guano and alec is pushing me under with a stick…

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

heh

you are truly inscrutable today.

Hey, it’s not me. Walsh has turned the pressure way up on the Bulls. He’s playing a high stakes game, and Reinsdorf has to decide if he wants to play at the big boy’s table or maybe find a more comfortable spot where the bets are smaller.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:09 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

True.

Maybe there’s another Phil Jackson hiding in the peanut gallery.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:12 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The only coach better than D'Antoni...

...would be of Phil Jackson’s pedigree?

by tyger1147 on May 9, 2008 9:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

...before he had a pedigree

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:21 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

now you are projecting alec

I am inscrutable?....

If D’Antoni was Pax’s first choice Pax would have already made the offer. The fact that Pax is letting the Knicks make their offer shows that he knows both that D’Antoni would rather coach in Chicago, and that he isn’t that worried about losing him to the knicks.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 9:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What, me read?

nah. I said I heard it on the radio. But I will now read your links.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:38 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

OK. I read 'em.

Don’t you wish you could write this crap…and get paid for it? What a life.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

lol, yes

See why Zell found a buyout of Sam Smith as a good option?

by NBA Observer on May 9, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

and I doubt they offer 6 million per

alec, why do you think the bulls are the desperate ones in this deal?...

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

From what I heard on the radio

the offer from the Knicks is now on the table.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:52 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Not sure what you mean.

Can you give me a little more meat on those bones?

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 8:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Reinsdorf probably has to go 5 years and 30 million for D’Antoni…

that’s wrong, too long and too much money.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 9:01 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Or he could go 4 and 7, a la Adelman.

This makes the contract pretty much equal to the Knicks’ offer…more money in less time, but less money in the long run.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

wow

The Bulls. Do. Not. Have. To. Offer. That. Many. Years. Or. That. Much. Money. Their. Offer. Can. Be. BOTH. For. Fewer. Years. And. Fewer. Dollars.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 9:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

and. a. different. coach.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 9:10 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well

I’m guessing we can agree that Skiles 4/18 is a likely floor. Maybe 4/20? 4/21? Slight raise over what he’s getting now for a fresh start in the East with a good young team in a big market? If he is able to rejuvenate the Bulls, he’ll be able to get a big raise at the end of that deal.

Ah, who the hell knows.

Yes we can. Yes we can hire D'Antoni. Yes we can.
Scoing 109 points/game is change we can believe in.

by preverbal on May 9, 2008 1:58 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ron Adams

Like Matt says, how does he keep sticking around? Obviously the org can’t do any worse without him, so what is the deal?

by NormVanBeer on May 9, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

They're treating Adams like he's Johnny Bach

He’s no Johnny Bach. What the heck makes Adams so special?

by NBA Observer on May 9, 2008 9:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

pax should get

bach back in there to clean up the d

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE

by CONOR6 on May 9, 2008 4:32 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Adams has long been considered

a top notch assistant. It’s why Pax hired him – he thought Cartwright’s assistants stank. Whatever went wrong with the Bulls, Adams probably wasn’t too blame. He coached under George Karl, helped coach the national Canadian basketball program and was a head coach oversees.

by KT on May 9, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I see your point

And I’m not saying he is the blame, but he isn’t the solution. Like I said before, it’s not like much progress has been made with him. What is wrong with starting with fresh assistants?

by NormVanBeer on May 9, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If Paxson doesn't hire D'Antoni...

then I’m off the Paxson train. After being the ’;ikely destination’ of Kevin Garnett and Pau Gasol, then having Kobe Bryant say on camera he wants to go to the Bulls – and losing out on all of them on our way to a 33 win season – if we can’t land D’Antoni, who wants to be here and is a top-tier coach, then why are we paying Paxson to do nothing?

I’ve been a big Pax guy from the beginning, but it’s almost six years into his tenure and we have zero top 75 players, and our latest coach was Jim Boylan. This hurts.

by YaoPau on May 9, 2008 9:04 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

How many former players are successful general managers in the long run?

I need to be schooled on this, but off the top of my head I can think of Jerry West and Joe Dumars.

by NBA Observer on May 9, 2008 9:09 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Agree 100%

This is my last straw with Paxson. I don’t see any quality coaches out there besides Mike D. D’Antoni wants to come here. We need someone to shape Tyrus and Noah, and BG and Deng for that matter, into better offensive players. I think taking a risk on an assistant coach with no head coaching expierence (Celtics’ Thibodeau) is a ridiculous move. We do not have time to let a coach grow into something. We need someone who can make a difference now. And Frankly, I’m not sold on Avery Johnson and I don’t know why everyone else is. He was handed a 50+ team win from Nellie. All he’s managed to do is let them lose a 2-0 lead in the finals, get beat by the 8th seed, barely make the playoffs and get trashed by the Hornets. D’Antoni or bust

by The90sBullsRevival on May 9, 2008 9:11 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

you think D'Antoni is the guy to shape Tyrus and Noah

when one of the big criticisms is that he won’t discipline Amare?

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 9:16 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

isn't it conflicting attributes

in a coach to not have to ‘grow into something’ yet also spend their time to ‘shape’ the roster?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 9, 2008 9:22 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Amare

has seemed to turn out pretty fine by me. I can’t speak of discipline issues, but the guy is a great player. Tyrus, an “athlete” would seem to fit well into D’Antoni’s system of run and gun. He can make plays in transition rather than having to post up. So perhaps I misspoke. Mike D may not develop him into a great power foward, but his style of play would get the most out of what Tyrus currently is. And I’d say the same for Noah.

I find its rare for an Assistant Coach to make an impact right away. Having someone new to the job I don’t think is what the Bulls need. And I think D’Antoni shaping the roster would happen over the summer and training camp. I just imagine there would be a longer adjustment period for a new coach. Perhaps I’m wrong.

by The90sBullsRevival on May 9, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don't think it is as rare as you do

having good players is more important.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on May 9, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You should give Avery some credit

He didn’t just take over for a good Don Nelson team. He took over for a good Don Nelson team and made them a much better defensive team carrying them as far as 67 regular season wins, a finals appearance, and all without Steve Nash a very important note in my book.

The last two seasons playoff performances were just too poor to retain him especially with rising teams in the west and an aging rosters suddenly much older with the arrival of Kidd and the departure of Harris and Diop.

by NBA Observer on May 9, 2008 9:56 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I think that's a good point

That Mavericks team that went to the Finals had a core of Dirk, Terry, Josh Howard, Stack, Marquis Daniels, Devin Harris, and Erick Dampier. In other words, that team was crap, yet they knocked off the Spurs and Suns en route to the Finals. Maybe Avery deserves a bit more credit than I’ve given him.

However, I’m not convinced that Avery made them a better defensive team. Remember the Mavs starting 5 from Nelly’s last full season as coach? PG Nash, SG Finley, SF A. Walker, PF Dirk, C Fortson. I mean, that’s the worst defensive team in the NBA, regardless of coach. Maybe it wasn’t Avery’s defensive stalwartness that improved their defense as much as it was a major overhaul of their roster.

So yes, that Finals run was impressive, and yes I think Avery’s a capable coach, but I don’t see anything special about him; certainly not D’Antoni caliber, at least.

by YaoPau on May 9, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

just because there were reports that the Bulls were a 'likely destination'

for Garnett, Bryant, etc. doesn’t make it true. (especially for those two)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 9, 2008 9:19 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It may not have been "true"

But the end result is both Garnett and Gasol got traded for poo poo platter and look where their new teams are now. (granted pierce, allen, kobe). Paxson and Reinsdorf just didn’t get it done. Maybe I can take a pass with Garnett if Ainge and Mchale had a buddy buddy thing going on, but I don’t see the excuse for Gasol. If it came down to us not having an expiring contract I think that still falls on Paxson for not being able to re-sign PJ, or trading him for a contract that would expire the end of this year. I was on board for the Wallace signing as well Matt, but the fact remains we have ended up getting what in return for Chandler, a top 5 pick? A 2nd round draft pick from the nuggets for JR smith? Who, btw, while has issues and we are loaded at the guard spot, torched it up this year from behind the line. Clearly worth more than a 2nd rounder.

by The90sBullsRevival on May 9, 2008 9:48 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

you're right on Gasol

and Chandler as well. Both were done for luxury tax reasons. I didn’t have a big problem with ‘dumping’ Chandler because otherwise they’d be paying $25m a season for guys who can’t shoot.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on May 9, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

in what world is al jefferson a poo poo platter? i would kill for the bulls to have him.

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 10, 2008 12:50 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You should read Canis Hoopus

the Twolves SBnation blog. RIght now they’re talking about centers in the draft that will compliment Al Jefferson. They’re discussing all of Al’s weaknesses and how they have to be downplayed through a strong center that will rebound, play defense, and keep their defender on him to prevent them from leaking over to double Al in the post.

In short, Al Jefferson needs another 5-7 million dollar center to help spell his ineffectiveness.

by NBA Observer on May 10, 2008 7:27 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I seem to recall the same things being said about Shaq throughout his career

Jefferson, obviously, is no Shaq, but he’s a hell of a piece to rebuild around.

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 10, 2008 8:10 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A $5-7M center is pretty average

If T-Wolves fans are that down on him, I’d be happy to offer them the #9 pick so they can have a truely strong center like DeAndre Jordan or Roy Hibbert. Heck, they can have Tyrus too. I’ll be happy to hang with Jefferson, Gooden and Noah as my primary bigs.

by Sports2 on May 10, 2008 8:35 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

My post wasn't to suggest that Al Jefferson is out in Minnie

What I was trying to say was that in the case of many big men in the NBA you need two of them with complimenting traits because it’s rare to find one big that does many things well. Furthermore, since the bigs bear the brunt of the contact in the paint, to have one big with all the skills may not be such a great strategy because they will eventually end up in foul trouble.

So, No, Wolves fans are not sour on Jefferson at all. They are just approaching the draft and free agency with the primary goal to secure a player with strengths to compliment their franchise player.

When we review Tyson Chandler I think we often overlook the fact that it’s infinitely more difficult to secure a big to compliment a strong defensive player by acquiring a strong offensive big since they are so difficult to find and usually far too expensive to acquire.

by NBA Observer on May 10, 2008 8:59 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

My choices are D'Antoni and then Thibodeau

After reading this “roundtable”, it made me realize how stacked a number of teams are. Sure, there wasn’t any new information, but having it all one place hit home two things: a) the Bulls aren’t gonna win a title in the next 2-3 years (duh, I know) and B) short of getting one of the very best players in the game, one player won’t make this team that much better in the near future.

Because of that, I’m fully on-board for getting a “development guy” to run the team for a few years. If he has the X’s and O’s down, too, fine, he sticks on. If not, get a new coach in three years. I don’t think that’s the end of the world.

So, if it’s true that D’Antoni would bring Phil Weber with him, and, despite my cynical comments, if Thibodeau is another developmental and all-around nice guy like D’Antoni (meaning he’s the opposite of Skiles), I’d take either of them. I’d only take D’Antoni first because he’s a “proven” head coach, and I want to see a fun exciting team, not one that just “wins”. (although, that’s obviously the most exciting thing there is).

by tyger1147 on May 9, 2008 9:09 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Why Thibodeau?

From what I’ve witnessed, the best former-assistant-coaches in sports are those who studied under a top tier coach (see: Greg Popovich under Larry Brown, Rudy Tomjanovich under Bill Fitch, and in football, Bill Belichick under Bill Parcells).

Tom Thibodeau has studied under Jerry Tarkanian, Rex Hughes, John Lucas, Jeff Van Gundy, and Doc Rivers – not exactly a who’s who of NBA coaches. And while he may be a defensive genius, who knows how he’ll be able to control of locker room, motivate his players, and plan on the offensive end? Jim Boylan was a well-regarded, longtime NBA assistant who obviously knew the game, but his inability to lead a team made his run a complete failure. It’s not enough that Thibodeau is just a defensive genius.

by YaoPau on May 9, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Gimme something more than what you "witnessed"...

...and I’ll consider reading the rest of your comment.

by tyger1147 on May 9, 2008 10:03 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

From what I’ve witnessed,

Jesus Saves!—or so Avery would have us believe.

Maybe what we really need is a ‘re-birthing’ of the Chicago Bulls, and Avery’s just the man for the job!

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on May 9, 2008 10:16 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hey dick,

Unless you have expert sources around the league, anything you type on this forum is what you’ve witnessed. Get a clue, and if you disagree with my point, list a few successful coaches that started out as assistants to hacks.

Somehow, even though you haven’t ‘witnessed’ Thibodeau as a head coach before, you’re touting him as a D’Antoni-level coach based on one article that describes how good an assistant he is. So maybe I was wrong about you writing what you’ve witnessed, it seems that you like formulating opinions without actually seeing people perform or thinking for yourself.

by YaoPau on May 9, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Here's one for you

Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi were assistants for the NY Giants in the 50’s. Name the head coach.

Almost all head coaches spend time as assistants. Great coaches are great because the recognize talent in players as well as in the assistants they hire. Great coaches also have great teams and bad teams figure they can be like the great team by hiring the great teams’ assistant coaches. There are so many factors at play in here that your observation has little validity w/out some serious studying that goes beyond what you’ve witnessed.

BTW, how the hell is Bill Fitch than JVG? The man finished his career with a losing record.

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 9, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Or closer to home...

...Phil Jackson?

Oh wait, he won a “chip” in the CBA. Does that exclude him?

by tyger1147 on May 9, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well, if Fitch is a worthy mentor

then it goes without saying that Doug Collins has his own bag of “great head coach” dust that he must have sprinkled on Phil.

We have every right