KC Johnson: It's down to Del Negro and Casey; decision could come Monday

by Big D on Jun 8, 2008 11:49 PM CDT Comment 64 comments

On April 17, the day he fired Jim Boylan, general manager John Paxson said he preferred but wouldn't mandate previous coaching experience for his hire as the next Bulls coach.

Weighing that very issue will come into play as, barring a surprise, Paxson will offer the job to former Minnesota coach Dwane Casey or Suns assistant general manager Vinny Del Negro.

Those two, plus a longer shot in Kings assistant coach Chuck Person, expected to know Paxson's decision late Sunday or sometime Monday.

What the hell is the hurry now? They've waited this long; are they now just scrambling to hire somebody because of the PR fallout from the Collins debacle? What a bush-league way to run a franchise. If they hire Del Negro, it's an insult to all the assistant coaches busting their ass in film sessions, hoping to get a head coaching job someday. I still don't know why they just can't wait a week or two and interview Thibodeau, but that's another story.

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Cant say that

Im thrilled…I just dont know what to say anymore…I really want Thibodeau ..I hope they do WAIT a lil more longer…Stall for more time with their BS like they been doing for months now…

by SK23 on Jun 9, 2008 12:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

it's not even worth it,

coming here, checkin up on my “baby bulls” every day to see what’s up. its a waste of my time! i don’t even care about what happens the next couple months. i’ll be back late Oct. Call me when MJ decides to come back (or scottie, for the hell of it.)

Priority:
Move To the OK

by bulls*hit on Jun 9, 2008 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thibodeau

Looks like we are not even going to interview him…He is a defensive mastermind. Have you seen the jobs he is had his team do against LeBron and Kobe through the first two games of the finals? Kobe gave him alot of praise when he talked about him.

by illini23 on Jun 9, 2008 2:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Imagine...

...what he could do with Noah and Thebo…they both got crazy wingspan

by Belize on Jun 9, 2008 2:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Celtics impressive defense vs. LA

has alot to do with the refs allowing them to mug the Lakers. Once the refs start using the whistle more in LA, Thibbs wont look like quite the genius. That said, he should still get an interview.

by Devin47 on Jun 9, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he has

let the organization know he’s not interested. Just because it hasn’t been known in the media doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.

by sue369 on Jun 9, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe he is waiting for the Finals to finish to return phone calls

He only signed a 1 year deal with Boston, that looks to me like he was using this gig as a stepping stone for an eventual head coaching job.

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 9, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be but

if an announcement is being made in the next couple of days it would leave him out of the loop wouldn’t it?

by sue369 on Jun 9, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would imply the Bulls are going to announce a head coach in the next few days

Call me pessimistic, but given how the past 2 months of head coach searching has gone, I’m gonna go ahead and say there’s no announcement coming, unless it’s followed by a backtrack.

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 9, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously?

by tyger1147 on Jun 9, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like a Knickerbocker fan

by Belize on Jun 9, 2008 2:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I for one am willing to have a look

at what Paxson/Reinsdorf see in the new hire (whoever he ends up being). Coaches are temporary hires, as the firing of Skiles proves—he was a teaching coach who got more wins out of the young team, and the franchise let him go as a first measure rather than as a last resort.

So if the Bulls hire Thibodeau, or Saunders, or whomever the Blogabull fans want, that dream candidate is just on the hot seat until the Bulls stop underachieving.

It seems like that’s the nature of the business. So bring in the cogs in the corporate wheels, and let’s see what their effect on widget production will be.

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on Jun 9, 2008 8:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I spose that's the optimistic take.

But it’s also sort of antithetical that position to make a big deal out of the coaching search, talk about how you want to take your time and make this crucial decision, and say you want a selection that will resonate with the fan base, and then hire a guy as a “replaceable cog” without even giving the most obvious cogs in the parts bin a real look.

by Sports2 on Jun 9, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it's so much easier to speak in ambitious principles

when you haven’t even started the interview process (even more so when you haven’t yet been spurned by Mike D’Antoni). “We’re going to bring in a coach who resonates with the fanbase. Unless we limit ourselves to the lemons of coaching candidates. In which case we’ll humbly try to make lemonade.”

From the “replaceable cog” point of view, though, we don’t know what Vinny Delnegro’s coaching skills are. They may end up resonating with the fanbase yet. shrug

by bullhockey on Jun 9, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

K.C. can't help himself

Barring a trade, the Bulls will have the first pick in the June 26 NBA draft, so player development also will be essential.

The #1 pick, who will be shopped.

by hscs on Jun 9, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So?

by Sports2 on Jun 9, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

K.C. suggested trading it for Baron Davis

He’s a menace, I tells ya.

by hscs on Jun 9, 2008 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Touche

Baron Davis? What the hell.

by Sports2 on Jun 9, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

Right here.

by hscs on Jun 9, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no way in hell

that Paxson would have the stones to even think about trading the first pick for Baron Davis.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and that's a bad thing?

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 9, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure

I know what you mean. I’m saying it’s a terrible idea.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you didn't

You said Paxson lacked the “stones” to do it.

by hscs on Jun 9, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Implying even if it were a good idea, Paxson wouldn't do it?

I think.

by tyger1147 on Jun 9, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess is that he meant something like,

"Try as he might to ruin the franchise, even Paxson wouldn’t dare do something this ridiculous."

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

by alec on Jun 9, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't tell Pax what he can't do

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 9, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stones?

I don’t think that has anything to do with it. Just a good decision vs. a bad one.

by Sports2 on Jun 9, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pax has waited this freakin' long, why the rush now?

This just doesn’t seem to make any sense. We tip-toed around D’Antoni, Collins, and goodness knows who else. He might as well wait 10 more days an interview the Boston or LA assistant(s) he’s been waiting for.

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany." - Ron Burgundy

by mdmnd9294 on Jun 9, 2008 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Parental Advisory - Explicit Content

by Jivas on Jun 9, 2008 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hiring Del Negro = cop-out

It’s simple, if they choose Del Negro, the Bulls don’t have to commit to a long-term situation (I can see him getting a 3 yr deal) and definitely not a big money deal. He’ll get the coach’s minimum (whatever that is) and be completely happy with it. All the while Paxson (and even more so, Reinsdorf) will sit back with their arms folded and feel like they’ve really accomplished something. This saves them both from having sleepness nights over hiring a so-called “big name” coach and wondering whether he’ll be the right fit and wondering if they overpaid.

For the people wondering why they haven’t (and probably won’t) interview Thibadeau..that’s simple as well. They won’t. Every game that the Celtics put in a decent defensive effort against the Lakers, Thibadeu’s stock rises. Rising coach stock means rising coach prices and it means more of a commitment…something that Johnny Clueless and Old Money Bags don’t want to give in to. If the situation was switched and the Lakers were up 2-0, and they completely blasted the Celtics, Thibs stock would be down, and the good ol’ boys would be on the first thing smoking to Boston.

With Del Negro, Pax will spew some bullshit about this is the “new vibe” that he was looking for. And JR can now rest easy knowing that his “old money” is still in tact and in his pockets. Once the Del Negro experiment doesn’t work out (which it won’t) they will both blame it on his lack of coaching experience and use that to beat off the media and fan reaction with.

It’s one big cop-out. Instead of making the best decision possible, they’d rather make the easiest decision possible in order to feel better about themselves. This whole thing is a complete crock and waste of time.

by NormVanBeer on Jun 9, 2008 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You summed up your own post very well in the last sentence

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 9, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you a big Vinny Del Negro fan or something?

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Know nothing of Del Negro

While I’m all for hiring someone fresh, I don’t like the idea of someone taking a head coaching gig without ever even being an assistant. I won’t be terribly excited if Del Negro’s the guy, but to write him off as an “easy decision” with a built in excuse to avoid pressure and criticism is ridiculous. If anything, such a hire would be a bigger risk taken and more public pressure for Paxson and Reinsdorf.

My biggest problem with the post was that I hate that people blindly throw out there that Reinsdorf is cheap and every decision he makes is only with concern for the bottom line. Both teams he’s responsible for have spent money on players and coaches/managers. Honestly, he’s been one of the better owners in both MLB and NBA. I’m sure his partners in both teams are glad that they have him in charge. As Bulls fans, we should likewise feel fortunate to have Reinsdorf as opposed to many of the other bozos who own NBA teams. Seriously, just look at the ownership of the Knicks, Grizz, and Hawks and try to tell me you don’t feel fortunate.

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 9, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I might rather have Dolan if it were accompanied by a competent GM.

Willingness to spend, almost literally, any amount of money is a big positive in my book. Obviously, willing to back Thomas for so long is a huge negative.

by tyger1147 on Jun 9, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It'll be interesting to see how things work out w/ Donnie Walsh now in NYC

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 9, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once those contracts expire, it'll be like the past decade of irrelevance never happened

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 9, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that things can be a lot worse as ownership goes. My problem with Reinsdorf and the problem that Bulls fans should have with him is that he is not allowing his general manager to do his job. Whether it’s because of money, lack of defensive principles, personal realationships or whatever, the fact is that by all accounts Paxson came to him twice and told him that he found his guy. And both times, for whatever reason, Reinsdorf did not follow through on the recommendation of the man that is supposed to be running the team. That is a huge issue.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This offseason's certainly been frustrating

I’m not quite ready to blame it all on Reinsdorf. Maybe the Bulls could have gotten D’Antoni if he’d acted a bit more quickly.

The Collins situation, though, was probably the right move. I admire someone admitting they need time to make sure they’re separating personal feelings from a business decision. Collins wasn’t going to accept any other offers and now it sounds like the Bulls were better off because his heart wasn’t really in it.

Paxson’s much more to blame for all of this considering he’s shown he has absolutely no idea what he’s looking for.

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 9, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't

buy for one second that Collins’ heart wasn’t in it. The guy went on TNT basically proclaiming that he was back as a coach. I think the more likely scenario is that Paxson wanted him, the decision moved on to Reinsdorf and for whatever silly reason, he decided against it. Then after Reinsdorf made up his mind, in order for Collins to save face, and for Reinsdorf to preserve the greatest frienship in the history of civilization (sounds like it from what i’ve read), they came up with that bullcrap story about it being a “mutual decision” and that Doug had a change of heart. I’m sorry but i’m not buying it, I think Doug would take the job today if it was offered to him again.

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buy it, don't buy it

The more important thing, is that Collins probably would not have fit this roster well

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 9, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you there

by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 9, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

either you choose to ignore

or you haven’t been following very closely. Paxson can’t stand being in the spolight and having the media on his case. Past quotes and actions of his prove this. You’re saying that he relishes the pressure and criticism? If you for one minute think that Del Negro is the best choice then you know nothing about the sport and should just log off right now.

You say that you’re biggest problem with the (my) post is that “people blindly throw out there that Reinsdorf is cheap and every decision he makes is only with concern for the bottom line”. No place in my post did I say that he was only concerned with the bottom line. Yeah, that’s a big part of what he does. D’Antoni, Collins, Avery, Flip…they all would demand and expect a somewhat sizeable contract. A rookie coach, one with absolutely NO experience will not demand or expect that. Tell me that money has nothing to do with it. Maybe not everything, but a huge part.

I’m not even against Del Negro. I know nothing of how he would coach a team. My beef is with ownership and mgmt. They’ve handled this process like a clown show and continue to think the fans are idiots.

Fortunate to have Reinsdorf?? We should be fortunate to have an owner who meddles in each and every decision that his GM makes? Fortunate to have an owner who helped disassemble the best team in basketball? Fortunate to have an owner who says that he would trade in all of his basketball championships for one baseball championship? Fortunate to have an ower who says that he struggled with making a decision to hire someone but then in the very next sentence says that he will be disappointed that he didn’t hire that person?? No thanks.

by NormVanBeer on Jun 9, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

repressed dynasty dismantling memories?

really?

management sez: recommend fanposts/fanshots/comments! Click 'reply' when replying to a comment!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 9, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

to go from that to this is completely depressing and disgusting.

by NormVanBeer on Jun 9, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

rah-rah-rah

The owner sucks… Grrrr!

by hscs on Jun 9, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think

i’ll get a couple of t-shirts printed up with that slogan. Thanks for the idea.

by NormVanBeer on Jun 9, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

I’m not a fan of hiring Del Negro, as I pointed out above, because I don’t want a head coach with no coaching experience. Hiring a head coach with no coaching experience, whether they want it or not, would certainly open Paxson and Reinsdorf to more scrutiny than just about any other hire.

Paxson’s pretty crappy with the press and obviously doesn’t enjoy that part of his job. I doubt that’s heavily influenced his craptastic journey for a soulmate so far. If it really did, he’d have just hired someone immediately after the season ended so he didn’t have to deal with the press again until draft day.

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 9, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to believe that we’re in any danger

of either Casey or Del Negro getting signed today.

Paxson’s fantasy…. I think he thinks he’s figured out a way to avoid public ridicule: he posits these two lunks as the likely next coach…then, when he fails to land either one, and instead—miraculously—Thibodeau falls into his lap, Paxson will be hailed as a hero (all over again, bringing him full circle to his one career glory moment, and he can bask in the remembered glow of that distant though still vivid in his mind, big shot.

Johny Jumpshot, Hero of the Realm!

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

by alec on Jun 9, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Because all of Pax’s prior thinking has suggested a deceptive mind interested above all in being hailed as a hero.

by Sports2 on Jun 9, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're probably right.

The guy has no imagination whatsoever.

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

by alec on Jun 9, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

the plan was D’Antoni. There’s no deception going on, just scrambling while sweeping for bugs.

management sez: recommend fanposts/fanshots/comments! Click 'reply' when replying to a comment!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 9, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flip

Are we even going to give him a look? Seems like the obvious hire at this point. Success everywhere he goes…head coaching experience…..creative offensive mind….

by chlutz508 on Jun 9, 2008 11:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't hire Flip.

Sheed quit on him.

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

by alec on Jun 9, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he's lost in Conference Finals!!!

No, let’s hire someone who has never even coached a single playoff game over the guy who’s made the playoffs every year as a head coach and actually coaches offense.

Rusty Longley v 2.0

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 9, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs