The last days of Vinny Del Negro (I mean, it has to be, right?)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 27, 2009 11:26 PM CST
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PrintIf asked whether I actually believe Vinny will be fired before the end of the season, I'd still edge towards 'no'. It's just so extremely rare, even in the coaching carousel of the NBA, to see a coach fired before he can complete his first season. The only recent example I can find is Randy Ayers in '03-'04, fired after going 21-31 with an Iverson-led Sixers team.
But on the other hand...this season cannot go on like this. And VDN does not seem the type to initiate a change in direction, which is an indictment of his hire in the first place.
It's gotten comically bad in this 5 game losing streak, and after not seeing Friday night's game, I couldn't say I missed watching the team play. Apparently they lost to Toronto after giving up 31 points in the 4th. At least that seems easier to swallow than the late-game execution miscues and lineup strangeness that gave them close losses in the other contests, culminating in a final play in Minnesota two days later that had the star point guard (and apparently everyone else) looking completely confused. And then further confused as to whether they even practice such things or not.
That followed off-court issues, specifically Ben Gordon and Vinny getting in a shouting match in front of the media over a fine. This is Ben Gordon, one of the few established professionals on the team(almost to a fault). Vinny then compounds that misjudgement (that was the best way to enforce and levy that fine?) by spouting completely embarrasing spin that the argument was good because 'it shows fire', and normal because he's Italian. This was said by the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
It's been pretty bad all season. But back when I was still grasping for hope to believe in Vinny, I mentioned that he at least played Ben Gordon a lot, and that the players seemed to like him and play hard for him. Well, since Hinrich's return (and one shamefully clamored for, along with the other 'captains', in some desperate excuse-making) Gordon's been sitting in the majority of the fourth quarter time.
And more importantly, while I'd bet the players still like Vinny (heck, he's certainly likeable), they do not seem to respect him nor play hard for him anymore. How do we know? Well the media asking players directly if they respect Vinny might be a bad sign.
(And we can't even blame Larry Hughes.)
After 45 games they actually have the same record as they did last season. The next two games are winnable, but they're still on the road. Then there's 4 more road games that will see the Bulls as certain underdogs. They'll return home after that and face the Heat and Pistons before the All-Star break. Will Vinny even be coach by then?
How many games are Paxson and Reinsdorf willing to lose? We can pretend to be the smarter, 'long-view', fans and realize that this team is a first-round exit at their absolute best, so what's the harm in a few more lottery balls. But there's a difference between a gutted rebuilding team and what we should be seeing this year. This is an absolute embarrassment. And going on nearly a season and a half of it. This shit cannot stand. I don't care if it means ultimately nothing in the way of championship-building: I just want to see relatively good basketball again.
Luckily, unlike last season (and some of the interim coaches who've taken over thus far around the league), there is competency and experience on the Bulls bench should Vinny be shown the door. Someone between Harris, Bickerstaff, and Ociepka can take the head chair while all 3 contribute more than they're doing so now. It can only help.
It's a nearly mortal blow for John Paxson's tenure to have to fire Vinny. Despite whatever hoops he had to jump through in his 'process', the end result cannot be this. If it means Paxson has to go too, it's not an unjust reason.
But it's just as criminal to let this go on. This season deserves to be saved, this roster (well, most of it) deserves a real coach. Whoever gets brought in after the certain (right?) midseason trade deserves a real coach too. And Derrick Rose deserves real, sustained development. If the Bulls are relenting on firing Vinny becuase it may make them look bad, rest assured the play on the court has them looking a lot worse.
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As messed up as it all seems
I can’t help but think VDN and Paxson will both still be here at the end of the year
When the fans stop supporting...
something will be done. We should not support this franchise until something is done. The media has to know that the fans have had enough. I’m hoping Pax is working on something big since he’s waiting long. Like stated above, how many games are they willing to lose. They are getting what they paid for with the rookie coach. Maybe if we stop supporting JR will sale the team.
Oh, the fans have stopped supporting
As bad as we were last year, our attendance last year was 101.3% of capacity, which led the league. The year before that, we led the league with 102.5% capacity. Mind-boggling numbers that gave Reinsdorf no reason to care about the shape of our team.
It’s not a big dropoff, but this year’s 96.7% capacity is significant. We aren’t selling out every game anymore. We’re publicizing half-price tickets in the 300 level. Part of Paxson’s job is to build a good team, the other part is to build a team that helps draw fans. Now he’s doing neither.
by YaoPau on Jan 28, 2009 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The ticket sales aren't good
Buy one, get one for Pistons games?
The team isn’t selling out the UC against the Pistons?
I wonder what the Bulls cumulative television ratings are like this season compared to last season and the season prior to that.
Watching the Wolves game, it appeared the Wolves had turned off the lights in the 300 level. It was almost entirely empty. Maybe they allowed 300 level seats to migrate to the lowers so the TV broadcast doesn’t show so many empty seats. The fans up there aren’t really thrilled with the Wolves, but there are 5,000 seats in the 300 level. If that things almost entirely empty that’s awful.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
And the real effect won't even be felt until next season
Between the economy and the pathetic state of the Bulls, I’m guessing they’re going to get a ton of season ticket cancellations. It’s kind of amazing actually, since Derrick Rose is one of the few players in the league worth buying a ticket to see. How bad would things be without him?
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
The short-sighted view of the passionate fan.
This shit cannot stand. I don’t care if it means ultimately nothing in the way of championship-building: I just want to see relatively good basketball again.
I would rather tank another season, fire another coach and see something in the way of championship-building rather than being stuck in that basketball purgatory of just making the playoffs with a capped out roster, getting crappy draft picks, wash, rinse, repeat.
While I agree that change is necessary, I do not agree that change for the sake of change is necessary. The only goal should be building a championship team around Derrick Rose. While I accept it will take awhile (Lebron has been around since ’03 and only has one finals appearance, Howard since ’04 and is finally on a team that can challenge for the title, Bogut, Bargnani and Oden are years away), the #1 overall pick deserves championship aspirations.
" I've looked at these numbers and decided the #1 problem
is that Ben Gordon is selfish..." -your friendly bulls blogger
by Dionysus2.0 on Jan 27, 2009 11:53 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
loser talk!
they’re not bad enough to tank, and tanking sucks.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
and besides
I didn’t say they should make moves that hinders championship-building. Unless you think winning games does so.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions
It's not losing, it's winning
By trading a bad contract or two then playing our young guys, we set ourselves up for 2010 while moving as high as the league’s 4th worst record come season’s end. We aren’t far off, and in June, I’d rather be staring at the #4 pick after 25 wins than the #9 pick after 35, especially with some nice talent at the top of the draft.
But the bigger question is why you think we’re deserving of a better record. Had Hinrich, Deng, and Gooden been healthy all season, we’d be nipping at .500 right now, which is about as good as anyone thought we’d be.
Our 104.9 offensive rating is as high as any Bulls team since Jordan left, yet that still ranks 25th in the league. We’ve never been near-average offensively with this current squad, even in the ‘05 glory year. Defensively, we knew we’d suck, and we do.
We’ve got one player on our entire roster with a .550+ TS% (Gordon), and our highest PER player (Gordon again, 16.3) is barely above league average. Also, we’re going to lose Gordon this offseason. So really, why compete? Trying to be competitive might make you happy now, but you’ll be punching yourself next season when Kirk is hoisting up 15 shots per game while Earl Clark observes from the bench.
Maybe it's the way they've reached the record.
I mean, that five-game losing streak has come with everyone but Gooden healthy, and I’m not seeing him as a real difference-maker.
They played over their heads to start the season, especially Rose. That’s good. And they’re probably playing under their heads(?) whatever… but it’s still not great. When you watch the team recently, it doesn’t seem like they’re missing close shots here or there and that’d be the difference.
They’re playing bad teams and losing badly (not necessarily by a lot, but just “bad” basketball). They won early and many of us said it seemed like they were getting lucky. They’re losing now and it doesn’t seem (to me anyway) that they’re especially unlucky. Projecting forward, then, it feels like they’re closer to the really bad team now than the average one from the beginning of the year.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
by tyger1147 on Jan 28, 2009 8:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
FYI
Vinny’s public comments continue to use the excuse that “we’re banged up”. Really, to Vinny, not having Rew Gooen is a strong enough excuse to take the blame for his rotations.
Meh. You probably know this already. It’s just almost impossible for me to take Vinny seriously anymore.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
Well
Not having _rew causes the team to have to use Aaron Gray, and from what I see everything we start doing is completely ruined once Big Aaron comes in (he makes Drew look like a DPOY)….
To be fair,
Gray isn’t the one who’s going to get his minutes slashed when Drew comes back. :/
"You remember the first time you picked up a basketball video game and you had no idea how to run plays, so you just gave the ball to your shooter and you ran around the court aimlessly until a defender was far enough away and then you jacked up a shot? THAT IS LARRY HUGHES!"
-Anonymous fan letter, heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
why you think we’re deserving of a better record?
a real coach?
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions
"By trading a bad contract or two then playing our young guys"
um…of course?
Also, I think the young guys need a real coach. And don’t think finding one now is somehow a bad thing because it hurts lottery chances.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
this argument derails my point
I don’t think the Bulls should ‘tank’ by keeping an incompetent coach. This has nothing to do with trades.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions
A competent coach would play our young guys
Rose-Gordon-Deng-Tyrus-Noah. And that’s a correct and pretty terrible lineup.
Well, that has been the starting lineup
and all played over 30 minutes last game except for Noah with 26.
Hopefully Rew Gooen takes his time getting healthy.
Maybe we can?
by Granny Waiters on Jan 29, 2009 3:13 AM CST up reply actions
Were not going to get the 4th pick
I really dont see us being any higher than 6th recordwise and thats keeping VDN, which is trading a large % chance of our current players developing for a chance on another young player. 7-11 is a lot more likely place. The difference between the 8 or 9th pick & say dropping to the 12th pick definitely looks pretty marginal in this draft.
Realistically speaking, we arent trading Rose, we cant trade BG, Deng is very unlikely to be moved, and Deng, Tyrus and Noah should really only be traded if its going to make the team better in both the short & long run. A team of Rose, Ben, Deng, T2, Noah backed by Thabo, Gray, Hunter, Simmons is going to have to win some games unless you overtly refuse to. Especially since you’ll get some kind of talent back if you move all those pieces.
Furthermore all those players have reasons to want to play well(mostly in terms of $$). It would take some organizational direction to really tank the season. We all know how effective JR, Pax & Co are at that.
Memphis and Sacramento are inpenetrable
They’ll get more ping pong balls regardless of how much we tank.
Beyond that, we can pass up everyone. Oklahoma City has won 7 of 13, and Minnesota has won 9 of 11. Washington gets Arenas back, Golden State just won their last game now that Ellis is back. And with Camby and Kaman returning, I could see the Clippers making a run.
something tells me all those teams arent super motivated to finish the season
playing .500 ball over the 2nd half while we play .300. Sure Minny may, another team might but they all wont.
Really, like who?
Ellis and Arenas aren’t coming back from injury to lose. Oklahoma City is finally playing good ball, they won’t tank. And Dunleavy is coaching for his job.
@#%@#%
Well I typed out a long response, then my computer crashed. Just doesnt seem worth the effort again. Suffice to say finishing the season the ~ 6-30 required to get a real nice pick doesn’t seem that likely, the merits of the organization making that happen aside.
The time is now.
For a new voice and a new direction while Rose is young. The soon the better. The goal should always be about winning titles. The sad truth is Paxson has failed. There are no more do overs. His indecision and poor scouting has cost us star players and playoff teams. He’s held onto lesser players for way too long. The truth is Paxson is a rookie himself.
This franchise needs a voice who is respected and feared. Jerry West or even better Jerry Colangelo a Chicago guy. Someone who can make hard decisions. JR needs to bring in a winner there’s no going cheap or he’ll loose the fans for good. The creed should be winning titles and playing defense. They need a plan and a vision of how they want this run and run right. Get two or three stars and play defense. Thats your blueprint.
Remember, Organizations
Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here
by Granny Waiters on Jan 28, 2009 12:51 AM CST up reply actions
I don't see how Jerry Colangelo can come here without acquiring an ownership stake
Last time Colangelo was involved with the Bulls was when he owned shares in the team. That was the 70s.
Reinsdorf’s team of investors are all businessmen. None of them are basketball guys. Krause carried Reinsdorf for most of his ownership years.
I wonder how badly Reinsdorf is getting killed by the decline in value of the real estate investment trusts. REIT’s are getting slaughtered all over the country. Ask Sam Zell.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
I thought Colangelo sold the Suns because he wanted to avoid the tax implications of selling ownership for his kids
But I do recall him saying he wants to be involved in the game still. And he’s friendly with Reinsdorf.
So, serious GM candidates 1 and 2 would be, to me, Jerry Colangelo and Doug Collins. I’m not sure if there are any guys on the bench behind them.
he is involved in the game
he’s president (or whatever) of NBA basketball.
I couldn’t care less that Colangelo is ‘a chicago guy(!)’, but beyond that he’s a good candidate. I wouldn’t say Collins is though, we already know he’s weepy and emotional. I don’t want him as a talent evaluator.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 11:57 AM CST up reply actions
ugh, yeah.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not saying these guys are the absolute best
simply that they’re two I know who Reinsdorf is friendly with. Which seems like it may well be the limiting factor.
by Sports2 on Jan 28, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
ah.
sad, but true.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Remember, Organizations Win Championships!
Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here
by Granny Waiters on Jan 28, 2009 12:51 AM CST reply actions
No. Jordan won championships and
that’s the only reason anybody even cares about the Bulls now.
Well that Jordan won championships
and that other teams like to see the talent we have, steal it from us, and see it blossom elsewhere.
Where is the sarcasm button?
Maybe we can?
by Granny Waiters on Jan 29, 2009 3:16 AM CST up reply actions
VINNY DEL NEGRO = TIM FLOYD 2:ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
Wrong place, wrong time for everyone involved.
Tim Floyd=good coach, hard to replace a legend, horrible horrible players & chemistry
Vinny=…..good…hair, replacing only interim idiot Boylan, better but underperforming players
/last 20 games have felt like a waste
/i can’t believe this team has the same record as that lazy team last year had
by KentuckyBullsFan on Jan 28, 2009 12:55 AM CST reply actions
Nothing more needs to be added to the bottom line of this post...."If the Bulls are relenting on firing Vinny because it may make them look bad, rest assured the play on the court has them looking a lot worse.
This fiasco cannot continue even though the Bulls will likely win their next two games. It would almost be better for the team if they blew at least one of them to drive home the absolute necessity that it is time the Bulls be led by a coach with NBA experience.
It would hardly be a revelation if Paxson announced Vinny is not yet ready for prime time and will be replaced on an interim basis by one of his assistants. To save face for everyone they can retain him as an assistant so he can learn without the pressure of having to make the final “game losing” decisions. At the end of the year they can mercifully cut the cord or move him upstairs since he will have to be paid anyway.
I think VDN is a nice guy, but as Leo Durocher once said….“Nice guys finish last.” He may even be a good talent evaluator, but is so busy trying to learn on the job, he has had trouble seeing the forest for the trees and as evidenced by his rotations, is thoroughly confused regarding what offensive and defensive sets to execute at any given time. Changing lineups from game to game, and even minute to minute hardly creates an environment where almost no one knows their roles and makes it virtually impossible to develop any cohesion, especially on a team with no strong leaders.
I believe Vinny gave it his best shot but he’s missed by a mile and the team is once again in chaos. Didn’t we see this movie last year? Just when Bulls fans thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, it’s almost beyond belief that the players have regressed under the new regime after the the disaster left in their wake by the 3 stooges whom all us fans thought represented the absolute bottom of the barrel.
I am ashamed to admit, I bought into the hype and predicted a 45 win season with the addition of Rose. I may be delusional, but I still feel this should be a playoff team and would have been if Paxson had been allowed to pick the right Italian who now must be laughing all the way to the bank for choosing to coach the Knicks, in spite of the Bulls winning the lottery.
Bulls fans, it’s time to rise up against the current regime, for we have nothing to lose but our current disgust.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
re my last post..."hardly creates an enviroment where almost no one knows their roles"
should not have had the word “hardly” since the players hardly know their roles and owe all this confusion to the muddled mind of their head coach who has obviously lost his way, that is, if he ever had a specific plan in the first place.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
The "real" reason Paxson won't fire Del Negro?
Because then he’d have to choose between Harris, Bickerstaff and to a lesser extent, Ociepka.
Anyone think Paxson wants to make that decision? Let alone, being able to make it?
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
Easy decision really.
Harris doesn’t want to be a head coach anymore, Ociepka is not head coach material.
That leaves Bickerstaff (who did a good job in Charlotte before the arrival of “legend” as GM).
The Game chose him !
why?
he’s had one more year of coaching experience than Del Negro.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
Because
by the end of the season he will be gone.
As coach and GM.
I like Paxson but it’s time to start fresh.
just fire him then
you don’t have to embarrass him by making him coach.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions
Actually I think he would be a better coach
but save the money and worry about hiring someone towards the end of the season.
I'm not confident in Pax as a coach
he seems to barely enjoy the work of being the GM, and a coach is a lot more grueling.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
that's who I'd guess too.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions
Although I think (maybe for next year)
that Paul Silas would be good.
He had good results with his bigs in Charlotte/New Orleans, most of them over-achieved under him (think Magloire, PJ, Moiso, etc) and also had Baron play his best ball at one point. He probably would be a good teacher for Rose, and develop the bigs (Tyrus, Noah) to their ceiling or close. Also the other players would respect him as a head coach, being both a player coach and a guy with X&Os.
We’ll probably never witness this anyway, but of all the “retreads” he would be my top choice (along with Saunders maybe).
The Game chose him !
This is the continued progression
of the issues we saw manifest last year. And like last year those issues became monstrous amidst constant losing. There has been a change in leadership, yet those issues remain. At some point one has to question the players. But I know we don’t do that here.
And I found it hilarious how you still managed to dedicate two paragraphs to BG in this rant.
by messwiththebull on Jan 28, 2009 7:28 AM CST reply actions
I disagree
that this season deserves to be saved. I was vocal in not believing we had a chance to do anything but maybe limp into the playoffs with a record under .500 and so far I look pretty vindicated.
This team needs another star to go next to Rose. No matter how you feel about our roster, there’s no other star unless you think Deng is going to suddenly blossom. Gordon is as good as gone. I don’t think we have the pieces to get a star in a trade. Our best chance is through the lottery.
I would say fire Paxson and Vinny right away. Depending on how you feel about Noah and Thomas, I’d say throw one of them in with Nocioni or Hinrich or both, and try to clear up space as well as getting rid of veterans from the team so the fans know we’re not trying to win. Gooden shouldn’t be hard to move either and maybe can help get teams to bite on taking Nocioni or Hinrich. Then play Sefolosha, Rose, Deng, whoevers left from Thomas and Noah, Gray, even Hughes and lose a lot of games. Hopefully our next GM will actually have the talent evaluation skills to get us someone who could become a star next to Rose and we’d have cap flexibility.
I guess I think there's little point to firing him during the road trip
I mean, that’d just suck from a practical perspective. I don’t know if that’s often done in the NBA, but it seems to me it’d be problematic.
So my guess would be to let Vinnie take the beating of the brutal road stretch, or get a repreive based on unlikely success.
Cartwright got the ax on the Circus Trip
Pete Myers stepped in for the rest of the trip. As long as they have an interim-interim coach ready to go, I’d hope an 0-2 trip through California could be enough. Is Myers still working in LA as the Obama stunt double?
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
Wait, really?
That gig is during the NBA season?
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions
i dont think the chances are too big on him getting fired
Chicago... Where giving up career nights happens
I can't believe Del Negro couldn't even make it to 2010...
…so my dream of George Karl would be possible.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
I still have Flip Saunders hope
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, if he didn't play so slow, I'd be eagerly up for it.
Even when he sped up his team to above-average speed, it was still somewhat slow. Plus, the defensive efficiency suffered as his teams went faster. I don’t know enough about his teams to make too much of an informed opinion (obviously, Chauncey Billups plays better in a slowed pace), but he’s certainly the best available.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
Who cares about pace?
The best defensive team in the NBA, the Cavs, regularly run at any pace that matters to win games handily.
Pace only matters when you’re club is seriously deficient at one or both ends of the floor.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
I'm not saying Rose, Deng, Thomas and Noah as great half-court, pound-the-rock players.
I care about pace.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
Who wants to watch Rose take half the clock walking the ball up?
The Bulls have young athletic players, so they might as well make the game fun to watch by getting out and running.
Maybe we can?
by Granny Waiters on Jan 29, 2009 3:22 AM CST up reply actions
I second the JVG hope
Though we’ll probably get Eric Snow or another rookie coach…..who knows.
But hey at least Eric Snow’s been a player coach for the last 2-3 years allegedly, and I did hear whispers about him and Bulls early in October or so as a guy on their radar, so who knows….
everyone was on the Bulls radar
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
And just about everyone wanted to coach the Bulls, too...
…and they end up with The Hair. Paxson fucked that up BAD!
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
Every time this is mentioned
I really, really want to vomit. Thanks.
When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer
Saunders or Silas
And they are available NOW !
The Game chose him !
I still hope for Thibodeau.
He’s the type of non-retread one takes a chance on. Someone like Spoelstra. Who’s put in their “dues”. Like, he learned how to coach before he took over a team in need of a good coach.
Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!
What's Thibs contract?
He had a one year deal with the Celtics that expired at the end of last season. This was after he was hired, then quit as head coach of the Wizards in the 2007 Summer.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
hmm
Maybe that is the norm. I don’t know.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah I'd rather watch a defensive team getting stops and shutting teams down then
getting scored on at will and just running up the court not really having a plan.
by ImmanuelKant on Jan 28, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
You mean, like working as an assistant coach before becoming a head coach?
What a novel concept.
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on Jan 28, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Begining of the season checklist
I remember the days when the pundits said the only point of the season was to grow Derrick’s ability and see which former players regain their spirit and play well with Derrick. I am going to critique Vinny on these two factors.
1- I don’t think Derrick has grown at all as a player since Nov 25th. He was doing the same things in the offense back then and shooting better while averaging 4 more points a few less assists. His defense was bad then and still is…( hasnt learned anything)
2- Has Vinny rebuilt the spirit of this team to make them hustle, share the ball, and play help defense like they did in 06 07? No. I’m not going to bother explaining.
3- Which players has Vinny blended into the rotation that show they can play well with Rose in the future? Again, uhoh. This was all this season was to be about and I don’t think Pax can truely say he’s happy with how anyone plays alongside Rose. Noc has been the most consistant all year and he probably will be gone. Ty and Noah haven’t shown any development, Ben is shooting for a contract, Kirk has played just enough to get showcased, and Thabo didn’t get minutes for a majority of the year thanks to Larry.
Conclusion- Pax really F#*&ed himself by hiring Vinny. The two main things he needed done this season were growing Rose and evaluating how his bad draft picks would play with Rose. Neither is getting done, therefore fire Vinny. ( All Star Break)
by Jscho316 on Jan 28, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Tyrus has developed
his individual talents, but not his ‘team’ talents or mentality. Otherwise I agree on your points. And that points back to the coach, IMO, and Vinny needs to be toast.
Unfortunately I don’t see it happening soon. I hope I am wrong, but I think Pax and Reinsdorf are too proud to admit faults before season’s end. They will maybe retool this blunder during the offseason when fewer eyes pay attention to the NBA.
Press the trade button. At this point no one will be missed!
Let's say we go 0 and 11
We have already lost five start and if we finish our west coast/south west trip with not a singe win … he has to go. This team is not behind him and we can’t trade the how team to give VDN a fresh start. Feb 7th is my ideal date to fire Vinny if we lose against Dallas and go o for the road trip. That gives us three days to let one of the “bucket list” take over as our coach for the rest of the year. 11 losses in a row seals his fate to me, even if we go 4 and 7 on the trip it’s time for a change. Our team has gained nothing from Vinny running the show, it’s time for Paxson to admit he made a big mistake.
If they can't beat the Clippers tonight . . .
As injury-riddled and apathetic as the Clippers are, then Vinny needs to go.
The bigger point is that Pax needs to go with him. After the clusterfuck that was last summer’s coaching search, he doesn’t deserve the opportunity to make another coaching hire.
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
Watch them go like 3-4 on the trip and nobody gets fired and nobody gets traded....
and they’re still at the same place now. Paxson please come out of your cave and make some deals go down….This organization is torturing it’s fans. Nobody should have to watch a team like this.
by ImmanuelKant on Jan 28, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
For real
A 6 game losing streak cannot come at the expense of the woeful Clippers with a decimated roster. 3 current starters are out.
This is a must win matchup.
12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.
by NBA Observer on Jan 28, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
When is Paxson going to get fired? The Bulls are not making strides forward and he has accomplished just about nothing since he took over 5 years ago. While I didn’t like the hire of Del Negro, firing him isn’t going to change much, it’s time to get Paxson out of here.
"When I die I hope they don't cremate me 'cuz I'll burn forever."-Harry Caray
I was originally against Avery Johnson, but now...
I figured he was too similar to Skiles and that they did not need another drill master (clearly they did).
He was a point guard on one of the better teams in San Antonio & winning percentage as a coach was never lower than .634!
Why would he not work well with this team?
by SouthWestSideGus on Jan 28, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions
I don't like Avery with Rose
Remember that Dallas’ PGs complained that he was too much of a micromanager. That might be OK with some players, but I want our offense to be a lot more free with the ball in Rose’s hands.
by Stay Chisel on Jan 28, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
Dallas has a differtn team
Dirk was the star and they wanted the ball in his hands, Rose is our star and the ball should be in his hands. I think Avery would be able to adjust and make Rose a better player.
I kinda wished Avery got the job
when D’Antoni and Collins fell through. Avery already proved that he could win. That playoff loss to the Warriors did him in, somewhat unfairly I thought.
Could he be any worse than VDN?
Press the trade button. At this point no one will be missed!
any of the Del/Bernie/Bob?
USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 28, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
As usualy Matt writes an excellent post
This year really is so upseting. I almost despise this team for playing so poorly. When they were up by 16 against MN I told my wife we were going to lose. This team is flawed from so many angles you just know our soft under-belly would be exposed and we would find a way to lose. If LAC, and Washington did not have injuries we would be the second worst team in the NBA, ahead of only SAC. OKC, MEM , IN and GS are playing better than we are now. We are really pathetic.
Despite my hope for a major change now I think VDN lasts the season and unless a miracle occurs Paxson will fire him. I do not believe Paxson gets fired. I think the big changes will occur during the summer. Hughes will be dealt either next summer or before the 2010 trade deadline. Hopefully the changes will be consistent with what the new coach wants. Matt has a great way of uniquely expressing himself that makes this site fun. The post gets a rec from me.
GLASS HALF FULL: At least the Bulls are not the Wizards this year (9-35)..their two best
players (Butler/Jamison) are probably about as good combo as any two of our players (Rose, player X)
GLASS HALF EMPTY: D’Antoni’s Knicks & Skiles’ Bucks have better records
by KentuckyBullsFan on Jan 28, 2009 2:14 PM CST reply actions
The Wizards are in good shape
The have a superstar player coming back (Gilbert) next year and will most likely get a top three pick. I say they are sitting pretty and can even make some moves and get one of the 2010 guys i.e Bosh or Amare in a trade, Better rebuilding shape then us.
Arenas a superstar? LOLZ.
When I watch NBA games I often call the fouls before the referees do. Sometimes it’s a gift. Most of the time it's troublesome. - NBA Observer
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