Thibs Still May Become A Bull

Offer Thibodeau more $$ than Del Negro?

It could lead to a dicey situation, but I’m for doing everything in our power to bring Thibodeau here next season. Del Negro and Thibodeau seem professional enough to handle it. Besides, Del Negro’s getting paid about $2 million above his market value, and I’m sure he knows it.

by YaoPau on Jun 19, 2008 1:39 AM CDT 0 recs

Haha i've never heard of an assistant being paid more than

a head coach.

That would really make no sense – might as well demote Del Negro and make Thibs head coach.

by swede2287 on Jun 19, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

are you kidding me?

they just won a championship and they consider him “the best thing that happened to 07-08 Celtics”
why would you ever let go of a guy that’s been your greatest strength?

and besides an assistant coach being paid more than the head coach is an abomination.

im sure the celtics will give him an extension.

by Aiafati on Jun 19, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

They can certainly offer him an extension,

whether he accepts it or some other offer is up to Thibs.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

where's Garnett on that 'best thing' list?

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

ask

kendrick perkins

by Aiafati on Jun 19, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Somewhere watching Loony Toons?

"I'm a Bulls fan," -Barack Obama

by Goostafer on Jun 19, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

If Dwyane Wade can lead a team to a title

while making less money than Haslem, Posey, Walker, Williams and Shaq, then Del Negro and a higher-paid Thibodeau could co-exist as well.

You earn your pay, and Thibodeau has proved enough to deserve a higher coaching salary than Del Negro, who has proved nothing. If, in a couple years, Del Negro is successful as head coach, then he deserves to be the Bulls’ highest paid staffer.

I agree that it makes no sense to have an assistant being paid more than a head coach, but it also makes no sense to give a manager job to someone with no management experience and then hire an assistant who’s one of the most accomplished in the field. That happens… never in any business. Odd situations call for odd measures.

by YaoPau on Jun 20, 2008 12:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

never in any business?

This is a cultural bias. In Japan, managers are not as financially rewarded in respect to other people on their team than here.
But even in our own country, I have seen a number of examples of this happening. Yes there are places that still use a military structure but more and more businesses are seeing the value of acting pragmatically.
I was a senior IT consultant and in at least 3 cases I made many times more than the manager. I know of other cases that are more close to this situation. And when you get right down to it. In our culture, is the normal case a manager who makes less than virtually everyone else on your team? How many NBA managers make more than each player on their roster?
It doesn’t make sense to hire him to do exactly the same job as the head coach but in this case it would be different. He would be hired to be the defensive coach.
The thing that never made any sense to me is that something that costs nothing (being able to talk and communicate with your players) is not valued as highly as it should be. I don’t know how the hiring of VDN will work out but I’m very optimistic and pleased with the pick. I’m curious to see how VDN and Pax put together a team to make VDN’s vision come true and if that vision includes Thibodeau as the defensive coach then I would be pleased.
Does anyone know if Buddy Ryan made more than Mike Ditka or not?

"To a man with a hammer, every solution looks like a nail." SLC

by WayOldGuy on Jun 20, 2008 8:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

Not cultural bias, more like cultural ignorance :)

Thanks for the reply. See, it can work!!!

by YaoPau on Jun 20, 2008 10:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thibodeau ....

....yessssss. I feel like I’m gonna start calling him “my precioussss” and skulking around Celtics websites.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Jun 19, 2008 7:12 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't have a link

but I remember reading somewhere/hearing it on the radio that VDN and Thibodeau are friends.

Would it be worth hiring him if he only wanted a one year contract so he could play the head coaching field next year though? I say go for it.

"Me like to shoot much" - Andres Nocioni

by BNeL21 on Jun 19, 2008 8:21 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't know if we know if he wants to be a head coach

He was hired last Summer by the Wizards, but only stuck around for one week. He changed his mind, quit, and then a month later was hired by the Celtics. This could be read a few ways.

1) Thibs didn’t like the personnel in Washington(loads of stellar defenders there)
2) Thibs thought he might get a head coaching gig
3) Thibs didn’t like the money he was paid
4) Thibs clashed with the rest of the staff
5) Thibs saw the Celtic trades and phoned Ainge to ask for a job, 1 year limited, for peanuts in pay(nobody knows what Thibs makes with the Cs)

Thibodeau comes off as a guy that just likes challenges, but still needs players he can succeed with.

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Now this makes me smile!

Paying VDN $2 mil creates an opportunity to offer enough to get Thibodeau to Chicago. This would be a perfect ending to a nasty journey. VDN and Thibodeau. Let’s bring Benny the Bull to the Airport to greet him.

by chgobr on Jun 19, 2008 8:23 AM CDT 0 recs

one week til the draft

things are looking up!!!

I vote for Thomas to play, play more and play regularly.-Sam Smith

by tyrus4prez on Jun 19, 2008 8:31 AM CDT 0 recs

After getting beaten to the punch on every post season story

does KC have his mojo back?

This would be a nice story to be right about.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 8:35 AM CDT 0 recs

it's pretty flimsy

“are considering making a run”.

He was the only one to report on the Westphal interview, however.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thibs to the Bulls is not new news

The Daily Herald discussed this about 10 days ago. I put up a fanpost with “Thibodeau an Assistant?” but later deleted it due to duplicity wi the assistant coach thread.

by messwiththebull on Jun 19, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Has the Daily Herald has broken every Bulls story this summer?

Even if by minutes, it seems like they’ve been consistently putting up the stories first…which strikes me as odd, considering the Tribune owns the TV broadcasting rights. Maybe KC’s just that bad.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think the Bulls ties with the trib media empire do much from KC's perspective.

he has to know ‘bulls insiders’ the same way other reporters do. I’m sure they all miss Skiles feeding them info on why everyone sucks.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

Why didn't

they just offer him the head coaching job and get VDN as an assistant? It really doesn’t make sense to me. He has more experience, would be getting paid more, and has aspirations to be a head coach. Why would he want to come here? If he needs one more year before he is ready to be a head coach material VDN needs ten.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Jun 19, 2008 8:49 AM CDT 0 recs

Thibodeau has been around for 100 years

Maybe he’s made of assistant coach material.

by hscs on Jun 19, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

assistant coach material is very stain-resistant

(how’s that for profound!)

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

The Bulls have the personnel to make a quick return

to the top of the defensive rankings.

For Thibs, I think it wuold be 1) a satisfying accomplishment, and 2) since the Bulls are probably at least a year away from a deep play-off run, it would put him in the market for the head coaching jobs that will open at next season’s end.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

I dont know about those two points

Thibs could stay in boston and maybe win another title (another goal) and im sure if he was the real mastermind behind the boston defense, they are more then willing to offer him an arm and a leg to keep him. Does satisfyiing accomplishment mean anything anymore? I think he probably has more incentive to stay in boston unless we give him alot of money, but is it possible for an assitant to make more then a head coach? The only way i can see thibs coming to chicago is if paxson already knows him and he and vinny go and “verbally seduce” the man into joining the organization. Me and my friends have been talking that maybe kg will retire or maybe his hunger for the ‘ship will die down, if that does happen, maybe thibedeau will realize that boston has gone far enough and will decide to help right the ship that is the bulls….sort of like that one movie where will smith played a caddy that walked around and helped players win and then would leave them…forgot the name.

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Jun 19, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

The Legend of Baggar Vance

by potato0328 on Jun 19, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

YES!!

Thank you, i couldnt remember the name of the movie, maybe cuz im not a huge golf fan or what not…

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Jun 19, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

Or because it sucked. A lot.

by potato0328 on Jun 19, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

In the case of returning the Bulls to a top defensive team,

Satisfying accomplishment = Massive resume boost…which, of course = more dollars.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree, it's not that crazy of a move on his part.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Definitely not...

but the only reason it’s not crazy – we got the #1 pick….

The impact that winning the lottery has is so far-reaching.

by swede2287 on Jun 19, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

The guy already has had a huge resume boost

To an already impressive resume. We werent the only team that really wanted him, and as far as assistants go he had the best resume. Now he may be conisdered to be the mastermind behind the incredible defense that shut down kobe and won a championship (bostons defense is what definetly won that championship) unless you think doc rivers really is a coaching mastermind. Thibs may already be a Jerry Sloan/Greg Poppovich as far as assistants go and we arent the only team that really wants him. I think it was more possible for him to come here as a head coach, since all assistants (i believe) want to be head coaches. However if he is just coming as an assistant well, either paxson and vinny would have to give him one of hell of a pitch (and vinny might have to deal with the fact that an assistant is making as much or more then him and get to terms with that) or boston must be done with thier championship run (kg retiring i think may be the only thing that could cause that).

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Jun 19, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

The likely continued success of the Celtics next year should be a big deterrent for Thibodeau

If he really wants to be a head coach that badly, he’s got to be available when the openings are there. Like alec said, the Bulls most likely won’t be playing too deep into the playoffs which should make Thibodeau available while a few openings still exist. Plus, changing jobs is a good way to keep his name out there. While he won’t exactly be forgotten this time next year if he stays with Boston, his part of the story won’t get as much attention as this year. If he were part of a resurgent Bulls team, though, there’ll be even more talk about what a defensive mastermind he is.

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 Jun 19, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

OTOH...

...if there’s someone capable to take his spot and the Celtics maintain awesome defense, he could really take a hit. Unless, of course, the Bulls rebound big time.

by tyger1147 on Jun 19, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

All he needs to do is peruse the history of title defenders in all sports

While the Celtics are an extremely talented team and likely will win at least 55 games next year, there’s a pretty good chance many of the players on that team won’t be putting forth the effort required to be a historically great defense again. Of course I’m extremely biased, but if I were in a similar position as Thibodeau, I’d go with the team that appears to be on the upswing.

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 Jun 19, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

25 playoff games

If you’re a basketball junkie then cool. If you don’t want another 107 game season? Sayonara!

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thibs is now at his zenith.

He’s got to be confident that he can work his magic without Garnett and Co. if he’s going to take this job.

by JockstrapNoah on Jun 19, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Don't forget 3)

A huge step backwards.

The Celtics are fully loaded for back to back titles. I don’t know why he want to leave the team for essentially the same position on a lesser team? If he does I’ll definitely eat my words, but I’d bet my house he doesn’t :)

Don't call me doughboy!

by Khalid El-Amin on Jun 19, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

What are the chances the Celtics repeat?

Don’t forget their struggles earlier in the playoffs. Celtics won with consistent intense team defensive play Are they going to sustain that same focus? Maybe. But, it’s a lot tougher than the 2nd time around.

formerly sbulls

by Scotter on Jun 19, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well considering the playoffs ended two days ago...

And the Celtics were the best team in the world, I’d say their chance of being the best team next year is currently better than every other team in the NBA right now.

Additionally, I’d say they have damn near a 100% chance of being better than the Bulls next year. But this is all just conjecture anyway.

Don't call me doughboy!

by Khalid El-Amin on Jun 19, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

It doesn't matter whether they are better than the Bulls next season.

If Thibs comes in and puts the defense back on top of the league, and the Bulls lose in the 1st round or 2nd round of the playoffs that’s perfect for Thibs if he wants to be a head coach. The best thing he has going for him is a rep as a defensive magician. There’s very little chance that the Celtics will bring the same level of defense next season.

formerly sbulls

by Scotter on Jun 19, 2008 7:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

"There’s very little chance that the Celtics will bring the same level of defense next season."

Based on what?

Don't call me doughboy!

by Khalid El-Amin on Jun 21, 2008 10:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

The lack of motivation?

Now that the team has its title, it’s very hard to bring that same kind of energy and determination the next year. The Spurs may have had some bad injury luck in certain years, but they’ve also had a history of not really playing that hard until the All-Star break rolls around. I don’t see them having that big of a drop off mainly because the amount of great defensive teams isn’t that high.

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 22, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

I guess nobody else

saw the words “are considering” in K.C.’s piece…there’s been way too many “almost” scenarios in the past two months to even take this seriously yet

by NormVanBeer on Jun 19, 2008 9:24 AM CDT 0 recs

It's doubtful

that the Bulls would be able to land Thibs. The guy has already established himself as a hot coaching candidate, and he has more to risk by suffering a drop-off by coming to an unproven team like the Bulls than if he stayed with KG and the defending champs for another year. He’s already established his resume, why even risk it? And Boston should show him the money after this year; it’s questionable if the Bulls can even make a competitive offer without snowballing VDN’s.

by messwiththebull on Jun 19, 2008 9:32 AM CDT 0 recs

yeah

i just wonder why he would want to come to a team who wouldn’t even wait a week to interview him, when they interviewed just about everyone else on the planet.

by Jaina on Jun 19, 2008 9:35 AM CDT 0 recs

that's a good point.

he’s probably at least a little miffed that no jobs are open after the finals.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's from KC

which in my mind automatically = “to be taken with about 5 brazillion grains of salt.”

the consecutive articles about Aaron Gray coming out of training camp as our starting 5 pretty much blew all credibility he ever had with me.

by Orlando Woolridge on Jun 19, 2008 9:45 AM CDT 0 recs

That came from a very credible source!

The old ‘Red-ster’ himself!

by RogersPark Kris on Jun 19, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

ah, last summer's training camp

Grand coverage of that one. The Thomas v. Noah made-up competition was especially intriguing.

by hscs on Jun 19, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

::grumble::

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

That reminds me...

In one of Bush’s morning briefings last year, his chief of staff told him that an overnoght raid had killed five Brazilians.

“My God! That’s awful!” Bush cried. “By the way, how many is a brazillion?”

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sure that had a point

but I almost broke the software it was flagged so fast.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

blame it on Orlando W

for bringing up those brazillion grains of salt.

But to his real point…maybe I’m just blinded by the hope that KC will somehow learn to do his job—and fast.

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

by alec on Jun 19, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nice!

Get the leader on your side by finding a common enemy to bash! Classic. ;-p

by tyger1147 on Jun 19, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

ahhh

ya know, I didn’t catch the ‘brazillian’ part of Orlando’s post. Your tangent makes more sense and is deemed somewhat forgivable.

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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 19, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

ha

c’mon, that was funny.

John Paxson has been like family to me. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother, who also was unable to pull off any deals for superstar free agents or hire a top-notch coach.

by preverbal on Jun 19, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

How crazy is this story?

I made a joke about this a bit ago and now it’s “somewhat” a possibility?

This team is hilarious

by Option27 on Jun 19, 2008 10:56 AM CDT 0 recs

Motivation to come to the Bulls is money and players.

VDN’s $2 mil must be one of the lowest coaching salaries. I do not know what an assistant makes but I’m guessing less than $1 mil. If that is true we could go up to $2 mil. Also if we take Rose this team has the potential to be a great defensive team. I believe Thibs took a one year deal with Boston with the hope of landing a head coach position. Boston’s run ruin that. If VDN faulters Thibs would be considered to replace him.

by chgobr on Jun 19, 2008 11:25 AM CDT 0 recs

I know vdn is not making alot of money coach wise but...

His exact ammount wasnt confirmed was it? I remember Paxson shutting down that one reporter that suggested that figure was the truth, and paxson looked like he wanted to walk up to man and punch him in the face.

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Jun 19, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

2 million dollars a year

is not alot???

by gman2849 on Jun 19, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

coachwise....

coachwise….

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Jun 19, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

This could work

If Thibodeau was given the same salary as Del Negro (2 million). Paying an assistant more than a head coach is just asking for trouble, and no way Paxson hurts his soul mate’s feelings like that. I’d like to say I’m excited, but after what we’ve witnessed in the Finals, is Thibodeau really looking for a lateral move, rather than sticking with a team that could win 60 games and possibly repeat next year? Money and a new challenge are definitely nice motivators, but as we’ve seen with our genius braintrust of a front office, it’s never too early to screw everything up.

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 19, 2008 12:03 PM CDT 0 recs

I do not know Thibodeau but the possible synergies with VDN are really exciting.

I believe we have the personnel to be a great defensive team. Thibs could do that for us. VDN’s lack of experience and Thibs long NBA tenure seem like a great fit. Thibs did interview for an Assistant position before for Cartwright. That did not go anywhere.

by chgobr on Jun 19, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Master Evil Genius Danny Ainge

Q: How do I keep Tom Thibodeau from leaving?

A: Dude, just play 107 games so nobody else can ever interview him.

Thibodeau was able to get Eddie House to play defense. There may yet be hope for D’Antoni ball rejects in the NBA.

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 12:28 PM CDT 0 recs

He got Paul Pierce to play some insane defense on Kobe

I don’t like giving coaches too much credit, but Pierce was never known as a good defender, and as much as people will say “KG changed the culture!” I say Thibodeau had as much to do with it. KG was merely the messenger that spouted Thibs message from the mountaintops.

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 19, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

The KG Work Ethic

is apparently legendary stuff. First to work. Last to leave. Gets guys to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Motivates without uttering a word. Uses facial hair to do his talking. Sweats gatorade.

I think KG is the kind of person that allows his peers to relax their own weaknesses to focus on their strengths. Is the screener the most important guy on the floor?

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

my data

About 40% of the time KG was moving in the Finals. 8% of them were called. Doc Rivers complained 100% of the time on those calls. Thibodeau was half that.

lol

by NBA Observer on Jun 19, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs