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Guys, I'm starting to worry about our guy Paxson here

Especially weird Pax-speak after the Boylan wake on Thursday:

Paxson claimed to have no timetable and no preconceived leading candidate for the job. When he addressed the media at the Berto Center, Paxson made it sound as though he'll accept the best sales pitch.

"I'm not going into this thing, 'I've got to have this kind of person,' I can tell you that," Paxson said. "I'm going into it open-minded and with the belief that I'm going to try to find someone that I think can connect with our organization, resonate with our fans and be the right guy that can get us back on the winning track.

"Contrary to what has been written, I don't have any one person in mind that I want to go after to get this job. I'm not going to worry about a timetable. I'm not going to worry about anyone getting hired in the meantime.

"I'm going to do as thorough a search as I can to find someone that I think will fit the organization and give us direction going forward. I think we need some real leadership from that position."

(Before I rant on nearly every word he said, I acknowledge that Paxson is likely lying or at least embellishing about some of this. It's either that or he's overmatched as a GM, so I'd choose to believe the former.)

First of all, it's unforgivable (if it's true) that he has no preconceived leading candidate, let alone no idea what kind of candidate to look for. Not only should starting an informal coaching search have been deemed necessary after seeing a week of Boylan, he should have replacements in mind even when Skiles was coach. Pax is playing it off as being thorough, but I consider it unprepared.

And notice the quick jab at the media when saying "contrary to what has been written". Yet another example of Paxson giving too much worry (i.e., any) to that darned 'misinformation' out there that keeps him from doing his job. For someone who isn't worried, he sure spends a lot of time saying how he isn't worried.

And worse yet, he should be worried, if it's regarding the possibility that someone is hired in the meantime. What if they're the best choice? Right, he doesn't even have an idea what criteria he'll be looking for, let a lone who fits that. Holy crap.

And then there's the pandering to the fans.  I don't want the coach to "resonate" with me. I don't even care if he "connects with the organization", as even Pax has said that the same organization needs to be reevaluated at all levels (And it sounds like he's right on that point. Of course, no part of that reevaluation involves canning 'organizational guys'  Myers and Adams, though they weren't promised seats on the bench either).

For contrast, look to Ben Gordon, who said regarding his preferred style of coach: "It really doesn't matter to me, I think we just need a coach who knows the result is winning." I feel the same way, as winning will resonate just fine. Pax should be even less worried about the fans than the press when it comes to this.

For a guy who's supposed strong suits include dealing with the media, Pax sure finds ways to irk me often. And the examples above wouldn't get to me so much if he didn't reinforce them every chance he got, and worse yet make personnel moves that echo them. It's a pattern that's getting harder to explain away.

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full disclosure:
if you listened to Dan Bernstein this afternoon on WSCR...he was basically ranting the same thoughts. I was totally nodding pretty much the whole time though and would've had the same reaction to the quotes independently, I assure you :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 7:56 PM CDT   0 recs

It's a sales job
Pax's comments were a sales job--a really bad one.

Like a lot of other guys doing poorly in a sales job, a lot of what he said lacked substance and seemed like pandering. In fact, the amount of spin he put into his statements and the number of buzz words or catch phrases was alarming--though he failed to add the once popular "accountability" and "synergy" and "culture of winning".

When you hear this kind of stuff it feels like he takes you for a fool. Especially since a lot of Bulls fans have very sensitive b.s.-meters. Not only that, but that's a lot of feelgood fluff and nonsense from the guy who in the past has preached anything but.

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 18, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Resonate with our fans"
Fuck, if that's what you want, just hire Ditka.

by Big D on Apr 17, 2008 8:00 PM CDT   0 recs

LLOL!!!
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 17, 2008 8:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously
I'd be happier with Ditka than Carlisle, Larry Brown or the ghost of Red Auerbach.  Even if it was mini-Ditka.
BAB Tyrus Love-Meter -- 8 - Deciding whether next season is going to be similar to Kemp 95-96 or better.

by cubbybear on Apr 18, 2008 12:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm just going to pretend I don't mind.
How many coaching vacancies will there likely be? If Paxson waits until after the draft to hire a coach (I'm not sure if I believe that), I think that's a good sign from my perspective.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 17, 2008 8:11 PM CDT   0 recs

There might be quite a few
There's already two.  There'll be three once Isiah is fired.  Atlanta, Charlotte, and Memphis might fire their coaches.  Riley might step down (especially if the Heat don't land Beasley or Rose).  And you never know if Don Nelson will decide to go back to Hawaii.

by Big D on Apr 17, 2008 8:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe he learned his lesson with Skiles
Paxson probably sees now that falling in love with one guy and not even considering other coaching possibilities wasn't the best way to go.

He's said he's keeping an open mind, what's wrong with that? I'm sure he has a list of coaches and he'll be able to narrow it down from there.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 17, 2008 8:14 PM CDT   0 recs

What the hell is wrong with this franchise...
I would post a rant, but it would end up being a reiteration of the Henry Abbot analysis, which perfectly encapsulated the woes of this paternalistic, oppressive regime.

BTW, I am a fan, I am a season ticket holder. I know many other fans, and many other season ticket holders, including the ones here. None of them have ever voiced any deep longing for character or grit. All of them simply want to win. It's as if Paxson is pandering to an obsolete sterotype of blue-collar Chicago sports fans, fans who no longer even exists in reality, fans who certainly aren't paying tens of thousands of dollars for Bulls season tickets.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Apr 17, 2008 8:19 PM CDT   0 recs

maybe you sit too close
the "Noh-cee-oh-nee" chants from 300 level beg to differ :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm OK with one gritty, character guy
coming off the bench, so long as Pax manages to find a coach who understands that he's a gritty, character guy who should come off the bench for a limited number of minutes.  

But, yeah, this obsession with creating a whole team of gritty, character who should come off the bench is a bit of a problem, to say the least.  It sure makes the start of first and third quarters problematic.

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 17, 2008 9:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ding! Ding! Ding!
What wjb1492 said.
"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 18, 2008 9:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess that is a good point.
But those chants have dwindled to a sporadic whisper this year.

They were more popular when Nocioni was actually playing decent basketball and the Bulls were actually winning.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Apr 17, 2008 9:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was kidding a bit
like you said, the Grabowski element is a bit antiquated by now. But not dead.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do the season ticket holders get together?
as some sort of organized association at any point during or after the season?

I know Bears season ticket holders and they tell me they get together with people in the same section in the off season generally to talk Bears, but they also talk about putting pressure on the club.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 8:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think
Paxsons talk was just a mini screen to let real fans know we ain't getting a Larry Brown, etc type.

I bet this due dilligence will be talk that will ease into, well I hired this NBA rookie coach again basically because Reinsdorf doesn't want me to spend any more money seeing that I've already f'd up this franchise this year....

I mean how can he not have his coaching search narrowed down to 3 guys, he's had since Dec 24th to hire his real coach (well maybe he's had since late Jan before it was clear Jimmy Boylan wasn't the right choice)....

Maybe Sam Vincent will become available....

Mike Woodson might be better now that he's a coach with "playoff experience".

"Mark Iavonni too has done a damn fine job in Memphis and might be fired for it too.

Of course Larry Krystowiak is already living close by and now he's unemployed....hey why not him too.

Of course I'm kidding.....but it would be a sad event if this organization goes for cheap again with the coach.  I really wish they didn't do this interim thing coming into the most important summer for this franchise post 1998 (Deng and Gordon are HUGE decisions and I'm not so sure Pax has proven worthy of making big, objective decisions).

We'll see, if he f's up this summer Paxson will likely be out as Bulls GM by this time next year.  It's a shame as I want to like Pax, one of my bball idols as a kid, and a Chicago legend.

by majoyenrac on Apr 17, 2008 8:42 PM CDT   0 recs

they went cheap with Phil Jackson
it'll only bother me if they suck. Or if they somehow admit that they didn't want to spend too much on a coach.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So all they need is a cheap, no name coach
and to draft the greatest player ever.  Problem solved!  :)
It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 17, 2008 9:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know they
went cheap with Phil Jackson, but since then they also went cheap with Tim Floyd, Bill Cartwright, Jimmy Boylan and Scott Skiles (pre contract renewal).  Skiles wasn't an awful hire, he was pretty good actually but he at least had a bit of coaching experience and success as a coach in the past.

There aren't many Phil Jackson's out there--actually there's only one NBA Phil Jackson and he's on the Lakers now and might be the best coach (or top 5 at least inarguably) of all time....

There are some VERY good coaches out there but we tend to try to spend little on the coaches in this city just to drastically overpay the players (Lou Pinella notwithstanding I guess)...

by majoyenrac on Apr 18, 2008 7:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kind of funny that Kirk and Ben in their comments
on Boylan's firing managed to give a better idea of what type of coach they anticipate, while speaking in total generalities, than Pax, the guy actually responsible for making the decision.
It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 17, 2008 9:01 PM CDT   0 recs

gah!
I completely forgot to include Gordon's quote in my post. I'll rig it in there now...it's after peak viewing hours, nobody will notice :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

(not on the west coast)
I agree that Pax's comment about "taking his time" is disconcerting.  What that means is he doesn't have a plan, that the termoil is a new revelation, that he's been so busy preparing for the draft he hasn't had time.  Pax needs to chart the course, not play catch-up.  What has he been doing these last few months???!!

by hlac on Apr 17, 2008 9:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

New Bucks GM John Hammond
At today's Larry Krystkowiak firing:
In this kind of situation, the best thing to do is be decisive. That doesn't mean there's a timetable, but we're going to react as quickly as possible...The bottom line of this decision is this is a results-driven league. Sometimes it comes down to wins and losses. Once again, the man that Larry was and the effort he put forth had very little to do with the decision.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 9:25 PM CDT   0 recs

"the man that Larry was"
Did Hammond fire him, or run him over with the Bangomobile?
Stephen Curry is the lowpost answer!

by hscs on Apr 17, 2008 9:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For example
two promising potential GMs are off the market already.

by Sports2 on Apr 17, 2008 10:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that'd be bad news
if the bulls were trying to get a GM.  I hope Hammonds gets all lathered up and signs Carlisle to a big deal.  He's a bad fit for the bulls anyway.  
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 10:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sports2, check out Sam Smith's latest
post on Hoops Hype for more GM talk.

The Best Unknown GM

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 8:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice find, Observer
After the garbage we've been getting in Chicago lately, it's nice to read a Sam Smith story.

Both Sam and KC were on cltv last night, and true to form, KC sat there like the dim-witted sidekick (I think he said about two words the whole show)...while Sam went with opinion after opinion, after funny anecdote after funny anecdote.

by alec on Apr 18, 2008 9:28 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Great find!
That article also mentioned Jamaal Mashburn who was a shockingly interesting listen on the radio when I, coincidentally, heard him this weekend.  His cohost (it was some ESPN show) would ask him things like how much he though various player's career earnings were.  Mash would take a guess and invariably be within a million bucks or two.

He also had all kinds of interesting anecdotes about various players and coaches, like how Elden Campbell played with a $100 bill tucked in his sock to keep him focused in his contract year.

--------------------------

About GM's, I just want a guy with a freaking plan, and I don't see much in the way of vision for how winning basketball is played from the current one.  I'd be perfectly happy with an older guy like Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Wayne Embry, guys that have proven they're more than a soundbite or a flash in the pan.  I'd be happy luring away a guy like Bower who's succeeded in circumstances that were probably tougher than anything faced by big-market Chicago.

by Sports2 on Apr 18, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bower did get some help from Atlanta
who selected Marvin Williams at #2 in 2005 instead of Chris Paul or Deron Williams two point guards that they really needed.

Any time you're talking GM moves and the draft there will be some luck involved.  We Bull fans know about Sam Bowie.

I'd love to have Jerry Colangelo as GM who will soon be free from his USA Basketball commitment.  ;)  Watch your back Pax.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 18, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sounds to me
like Pax wants an assistant from a team that might go deep in the playoffs and won't let the guy out to interview before the team is done.  And he doesn't want to tip his hand to other GM's.  

I'd make a comment about reading between the lines, but I think this diary was just about tearing Paxson down a little to keep exult on your side.  :-p

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 9:52 PM CDT   0 recs

Pretty sure that's what it is
Maybe he wants Thibodeau
and he knows he won't be able to get him until after the play-offs.

by alec on Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 05:37:17 PM CST
[ Parent | Reply to This ]  

by alec on Apr 17, 2008 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what's with that sig?
did you make that call and are you insinuating that I am stealing your idea?  You need to link so I can see where you made that comment.  link link link  ;-)
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 17, 2008 10:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

right
otherwise the predictions database is improperly indexed.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 10:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was just surprised
to see it...and I DON'T want to learn how to link.  But maybe I will upgrade my skills in honor of the BaB upgrade.  No, I don't think you stole anything.  I'm sure you didn't see it, and if I could effing link you to it...well, whatever.

by alec on Apr 17, 2008 11:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I had thought
Pax has someone in mind but for reasons unknown to us he's not going to share with us and he shouldn't have to. When the time is right for all concerned we'll know.

by sue369 on Apr 17, 2008 10:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If that's it
then that's a relief because that eliminates Larry Brown and all the other "highly experienced, available ex-coaches"

by hlac on Apr 17, 2008 10:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the reason is
he's oddly paranoid, for someone in a high-profile public position. Like I said it's either that or he's incompetent. Both are rip-able.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 10:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so he can't even say he knows what type
of GM he wants, because that type is 'inexperienced'?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 11:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

*type of coach
although, maybe he should hire a GM first to handle all this sticky business of hiring and firing. That way he can sit back and track each player's facial hair for cleaniness.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 17, 2008 11:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He doesn't
have to tell us what kind of coach he's looking for. If he did the media and fans would be more crazy than they are now with their choices. I don't blame him at all for not giving any indication of what kind of coach he's looking for.

by sue369 on Apr 18, 2008 10:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fine, then go into Krause mode
and say nothing. And especially don't say anything about how you need to pick a coach that 'resonates with the fans and connects with the organization'

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

plus this all goes back to the fact that
he's sortof losing his 'benefit of the doubt'. He did hire Jim Boylan.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

for half a season
when the previous coach quit.  While Boylan wasn't good, the way the season went wasn't 100% his fault either.  The players have to share some of the blame independent of the coach or the GM.
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he was beyond 'not good'
and yes they all get a nice spoonful of blame.

I'm independently blaming Paxson for hiring that buffoon and even worse not telling him what to do.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he was the best choice at the time
you don't throw out the whole system 25 games into the season.
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

fine, but then he botched how it was handled
he let the coach let his players suspend teammates.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and yesterday he was fired
and we all move on.
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

huh?
we're evaluating Paxson. (his favorite word, ironically)

We're here to talk about the past, Mr. McGwire.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah
and you're wasting everybody's time.  Pax has already addressed the past by firing Boylan, and stating that he will try to fit a coach to the players.  You should be doubly super psyched, because that probably means TT isn't going anywhere and Pax will try to come to terms with BG.
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

by all means...
I look forward to reading your blog on the subject.

Do we really need to get into a debate over what's an appropriate timeframe to 'move on' from analyzing mistakes, a time beyond of going over their impact and relevance to confidence regarding future moves? really? you're that big of a pain in the ass? I mean, your act would work better if you were someone with more to say.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're probably right
I should save up my comments into one big comment instead of replying to three threads at a time.  I just disagree with your implicit assumption that John Paxson's quote above should be taken at face value.  That pretty much sums it all up, no need for a blog or a diary.  If we can talk about the future, then I can make the argument about how the changes Pax has already made are the correct way to handle the situation.  But this doesn't appear to be the forum for that yet, and I am diametrically opposed to the "throw the baby out with the bathwater" mob around here.
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 11:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and that's fine
I think this is a pretty open place when it comes to having disagreeing opinions.

I do get upset when it's suggested whether something's relevant or not to even discuss. If you don't think it's worth discussing, don't contribute to the discussion.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was talking more in the congressional sense
because with the exception of NBA Observer, who is actually going to turn this into a career, we are all wasting time here...  
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So...
Pax has already made the correct changes and everything is pointed in the right direction?

Also, could you elaborate on what, in particular, your diametrical opposition to the "throw the baby out with the bathwater" mob entails?  Forgive me if I'm mistaking you for someone else, but I though you told me getting rid of Luol Deng, who's generally been considered our best player over the last couple of years, needed to be the Bulls' first priority.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with that position.  In fact, I find it quite a bit more interesting than discussions of diametrical opposition and babies and bath water.

by Sports2 on Apr 18, 2008 12:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

although I do find it interesting
what should be considered the babies.

I'd think casting off the best players on the team would be throwing out the babies.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 12:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

upgrading, not getting rid of
they should try and get someone more athletic with a different type of game.  Noc was better at getting to the rim this year.  Deng's jumpshotting game is redundant with BG, and BG is a better jumpshooter, so keep him, and trade Deng.  
Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 18, 2008 12:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Finishing
Deng finished at .586 below the basket.  Nocioni was at .511.  And Nocioni finishes well at the rim?
http://www.nba.com/hotspots/

by jpchi on Apr 19, 2008 3:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

read it again
I said gets to the rim, not finishes.  Deng settles for the long jumper a lot more often.
Hi Sue! ;-)

by bullshooter on Apr 19, 2008 4:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fine,
Luol took 400 shots under the basket and Nocioni took 225.  I assume you'll argue that Luol played 10 more minute per game, but he played in 19 less games so it comes out pretty even.  Finally, Noc takes away more shots away from Gordon because he spends a lot of his time around the arc like Gordon and unlike Deng.  

by jpchi on Apr 19, 2008 9:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't bother bullshooter with facts now.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 19, 2008 10:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

82 Games shows Inside Scoring

According to them:

39% of Deng’s shots were inside, and he made 60.6%

21% of Noc’s shots were inside and he made 55.7% of them.

They’ve actually got a sortable list so you can go through and compare them to other guys around the league.

by Sports2 on Apr 20, 2008 2:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's an interesting comparison

despite all the injuries Deng, he played 100 more minutes than Noc who played in all 82 games. They both took roughly the same number of shots. The only evidence I (besides watching the games) is that Noc had a lower ast’d percentage on his close and dunks compared to Deng implying that Noc was more likely to drive on his own. Deng was more likely to get his close and dunks on plays where he was making a cut, not off of the dribble. I wasn’t trying to say that Noc should start over Deng, just that he has a more aggressive style on offense that I’d like to see either the SG or SF have. The fact that Deng had almost twice the percentage of close and dunks that Noc had also probably means that he is going to rim, just in the context of the offense, not while rying to create his own shot.

2008 or bust.

by bullshooter on Apr 20, 2008 4:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And

we want Nocioni to be dribbling with his handles?

"Worker bees can leave.
Even drones can fly away.
The Queen is their slave."

by jpchi on Apr 21, 2008 1:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're wasting your own time, dude.
Take some responsibility for your own actions.
Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 18, 2008 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What were the
choices for head coaches at the time Skiles left? I feel there are things we know nothing about going on with this team. I think Pax knew he wasn't going to retain Boylan when he hired him. How do we know besides evaluating future NBA prospects that he hasn't been evalutating coaching prospects since Dec.? Just because he doesn't come out and say he's doing those things doesn't mean he's not.

by sue369 on Apr 18, 2008 11:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I prefer my version
where he's too busy sweeping his office for bugs.

I want some confidence from the guy that he knows what he's doing. Instead he's talking about the media and fans first. Does that mean he's actually more concerned about the media and fans? No, but he says it all the time and it's annoying. God forbid he tips his hand and says "I have some candidates in mind".

He's still above-average. Even in this abysmal season, he nailed the Noah pick and scammed someone into taking Ben Wallace. But he hasn't done a good enough job where I can just assume the crap coming out of his mouth is some grand master scheme.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 18, 2008 11:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For every John Calipari
whose agent is leaking rumors that he's interested in the xyz job so that he can redo his deal where he is, there is a John Paxson who says he has a completely open mind about who the next coaching hire will be.  Can we please stop taking everything at face value?...