I got this information 3rd hand so take it for what it's worth but I've heard Borrego is pretty racist in private and that's why he keeps getting fired despite having seemingly better results than his competition when he's a head coach
I'm choosing to take a more positive view of Graham's current FO hiring process. He hired his right hand guys and then paused his FO search to focus on hiring the right head coach. Once that's complete, he will go back to filling out the FO.
I have nothing to prove that's what he's doing, and there's a good possibility his FO hiring spree is done. He does work for the Reinsdorf's after all. :/ But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he's proven otherwise.
Definitely not a thrilling coaching search, but that’s because I just don’t think it matters that much at this stage of the rebuild.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the only thing that really matters at this stage is for the head coach to not be a complete doofus who makes life more difficult for the players.
Is it possible to find a great head coach now? Sure, and I’ll be rooting for it. But the team is likely going to be young and bad for the next couple of years, so the impact of coaching will be hard to diagnose unless they’re a complete mess like Jim Boylen.
Unless we find some luck with this hire, we’re likely going to be looking for another new coach three years from now. It’s just how rebuilding usually works.
I agree with 'the impact of coaching will be hard to diagnose' in the short term due to the Bulls not being good (and being most probably very young), but I disagree that the coaching staff doesn't matter. OKC are where they are in part because the front office is great at evaluating talent AND the coaching staff is great at developing and giving opportunities to thrive to said talent.
I think what you are saying is that you don't think the Bulls will be winning soon. (I hope that's not the case, by the way.) But regardless, isn't it important to hire someone now who can develop our young players? Maybe teach them some defensive concepts? Find the dawg in them?
I don't know enough about any of these candidates to have an opinion but I think Graham is doing the right thing by taking his time.
There's something nobody's talking about: a GM. Do Byrson Graham, Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV obviate the need for one? Does the HC now get hired before the GM? Or has the GM gone the way of whistling palming and steps for adult basketball players?
I don't think Bulls are going to hire a guy with that title. Graham hired Mervin as the #2 guy, so whatever "general" management duties there are will probably be split between the two of them.
Thanks for your perspective. If true, then there's even more potential for criticism when "mistakes are made" on the HC hiring, draft picks, FA signings, player rotation decisions, etc. Who's in charge, is there too much on his plate, is there unclear delineation of responsibilities? But I think I'll be defending the players, coaches and FO personnel from the upcoming, hyper-critical commentary.
That hasn't been reported (I don't believe) but based on Mervis's prior position that's probably correct
Kind of takes the wind out of KC's PR of 'we don't even know what structure it'll be!' if the innovation is that Graham doesn't have a #2 but instead a bunch of #3s. Or it's just a difference in title and Mervis is #2.
Like with everything related to graham I don't really have a take but if Brian Hagen stays and keeps his title that's a bad sign
It always feels like a gamble when you’re looking at assistant coaches. On paper their resume always looks appealing especially with the ones being under great orgs and elite head coaches. But man that jump from assistant to head coach reveals a lot about them. Boylen on paper should’ve been a solid choice. Him being under Pop and that Spurs org seems like it could work. But as soon as he stepped into that role he was so unlikable and unqualified with his dated methods. I still think about that stupid time clock from time to time.
Wow, kind of surprised this is happening before the Spurs' season is done. Also means Billy is likely out of a job next season as JB mentioned. I kind of assumed Sweeney was going back to Dallas. Curious who they'll hire now.
It's possible we wanted Sweeney but he didn't want us. You're coaching intense playoff basketball and knowing taking the Bulls job means the very earliest you'd sniff the play-in is likely 2 years from now, with actual meaningful playoff games being 3-4 years away on the most generous/optimistic timeline.
I don't care THAT much who the Bulls hire (for the same reasons others have expressed) but Sweeney would have been at or near the top of my personal candidate list, so this is mildly disappointing. Still a bunch of fish in the sea, though, and we're not competing with the Magic for any of them.
It just doesn’t really make sense for top coaching candidates to attach themselves to this team right now. Anyone who takes this job is potentially signing up for 100 losses the next two years.
My guess is the hire will be a fairly young assistant coach who is just looking to get this phase of their career started. Probably either Chris Quinn or Ryan Schmidt.
Yeah, I'm seeing a bunch of people complaining that the Bulls didn't go after Sweeney hard enough and I'm just not sure that's the case. I think it's probably as simple as Sweeney not wanting to coach a rebuild.
yes I saw our resident INSIDER post a screenshot of the guy's twitter profile, instead of, I don't know, reporting it? Is this not something the team wants reported? (I guess likely not because they're weird about personnel)
It is pretty hilarious how a vast majority of the reports about the Bulls coaching search is coming from reporters who don’t cover the Bulls.
I think K.C.’s only contribution was reporting that Wes Unseld Jr. is being legitimately considered. Which confirms to me that he just reports what Michael and Pax tell him, because that feels like Michael and Paxson just wanting to boost Unseld Jr.’s stock on his way out as a favor to him.
“In Bulls news, sources inform Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line that Chicago will apparently streamline their head coach search to a group of final contenders by early next week. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that Miami Heat associate head coach Chris Quinn, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, and former Billy Donovan-era Bulls assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. have emerged as some of the frontrunners.”
Feels like Unseld is benefiting just from being in the building already, so he has the easiest ability to answer questions about the players on the roster and is probably well-liked by Michael, Pax, and some of the AKME guys who are still here.
I think they’re going to hire Quinn, though. He’s young, a former player, comes from a respected organization, and has a lot of experience as an assistant coach.
>> adding Alex Kaufman as Windy City Bulls general manager and Jarrett Sutton as a scout, both worked with Bulls executive Bryson Graham for six years with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Listen, if you have the organizational success of the New Orleans Pelicans to draw from, you'd be a fool not to!
>>The Bulls’ search is being led by new head of basketball operations Bryson Graham, but former top executive John Paxson, who is now a senior advisor, has also been part of the interview process, per Fischer and Stein.
"Can you describe a time when you experienced a critical, high-stress disagreement, specifically an instance where you were physically choked, and walk me through how you reacted, managed your response, and resolved the situation with an apology?"
I got this information 3rd hand so take it for what it's worth but I've heard Borrego is pretty racist in private and that's why he keeps getting fired despite having seemingly better results than his competition when he's a head coach
I'm choosing to take a more positive view of Graham's current FO hiring process. He hired his right hand guys and then paused his FO search to focus on hiring the right head coach. Once that's complete, he will go back to filling out the FO.
I have nothing to prove that's what he's doing, and there's a good possibility his FO hiring spree is done. He does work for the Reinsdorf's after all. :/ But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he's proven otherwise.
Or the more 'juicy' or high level hires were justifiably reported. And other FO building activities are being undertaken without much/any fanfare?
There's no fanfare and there's zero reporting
Yeah pretty much none of those names mean anything to me, but poaching talent from OKC might be a wise move.
Definitely not a thrilling coaching search, but that’s because I just don’t think it matters that much at this stage of the rebuild.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the only thing that really matters at this stage is for the head coach to not be a complete doofus who makes life more difficult for the players.
Is it possible to find a great head coach now? Sure, and I’ll be rooting for it. But the team is likely going to be young and bad for the next couple of years, so the impact of coaching will be hard to diagnose unless they’re a complete mess like Jim Boylen.
Unless we find some luck with this hire, we’re likely going to be looking for another new coach three years from now. It’s just how rebuilding usually works.
I agree with 'the impact of coaching will be hard to diagnose' in the short term due to the Bulls not being good (and being most probably very young), but I disagree that the coaching staff doesn't matter. OKC are where they are in part because the front office is great at evaluating talent AND the coaching staff is great at developing and giving opportunities to thrive to said talent.
I think what you are saying is that you don't think the Bulls will be winning soon. (I hope that's not the case, by the way.) But regardless, isn't it important to hire someone now who can develop our young players? Maybe teach them some defensive concepts? Find the dawg in them?
I don't know enough about any of these candidates to have an opinion but I think Graham is doing the right thing by taking his time.
There's something nobody's talking about: a GM. Do Byrson Graham, Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV obviate the need for one? Does the HC now get hired before the GM? Or has the GM gone the way of whistling palming and steps for adult basketball players?
I don't think Bulls are going to hire a guy with that title. Graham hired Mervin as the #2 guy, so whatever "general" management duties there are will probably be split between the two of them.
Thanks for your perspective. If true, then there's even more potential for criticism when "mistakes are made" on the HC hiring, draft picks, FA signings, player rotation decisions, etc. Who's in charge, is there too much on his plate, is there unclear delineation of responsibilities? But I think I'll be defending the players, coaches and FO personnel from the upcoming, hyper-critical commentary.
That hasn't been reported (I don't believe) but based on Mervis's prior position that's probably correct
Kind of takes the wind out of KC's PR of 'we don't even know what structure it'll be!' if the innovation is that Graham doesn't have a #2 but instead a bunch of #3s. Or it's just a difference in title and Mervis is #2.
Like with everything related to graham I don't really have a take but if Brian Hagen stays and keeps his title that's a bad sign
It always feels like a gamble when you’re looking at assistant coaches. On paper their resume always looks appealing especially with the ones being under great orgs and elite head coaches. But man that jump from assistant to head coach reveals a lot about them. Boylen on paper should’ve been a solid choice. Him being under Pop and that Spurs org seems like it could work. But as soon as he stepped into that role he was so unlikable and unqualified with his dated methods. I still think about that stupid time clock from time to time.
Sean Sweeney to magic. Not sure if he was an option here
I’m surprised he didn’t take the Mavericks job given his ties to the franchise and the fact that Flagg has a higher ceiling than anyone on the Magic.
I guess this means he wanted a win-now job. The defensive identity of Orlando also probably aligned with his priorities.
It also means Billy is probably taking a year off.
come back Billy?!?
Haha, don't think so. I mean, he already sold his house.
Wow, kind of surprised this is happening before the Spurs' season is done. Also means Billy is likely out of a job next season as JB mentioned. I kind of assumed Sweeney was going back to Dallas. Curious who they'll hire now.
stackhouse ? ^^
It's possible we wanted Sweeney but he didn't want us. You're coaching intense playoff basketball and knowing taking the Bulls job means the very earliest you'd sniff the play-in is likely 2 years from now, with actual meaningful playoff games being 3-4 years away on the most generous/optimistic timeline.
I don't care THAT much who the Bulls hire (for the same reasons others have expressed) but Sweeney would have been at or near the top of my personal candidate list, so this is mildly disappointing. Still a bunch of fish in the sea, though, and we're not competing with the Magic for any of them.
It just doesn’t really make sense for top coaching candidates to attach themselves to this team right now. Anyone who takes this job is potentially signing up for 100 losses the next two years.
My guess is the hire will be a fairly young assistant coach who is just looking to get this phase of their career started. Probably either Chris Quinn or Ryan Schmidt.
Yeah, I'm seeing a bunch of people complaining that the Bulls didn't go after Sweeney hard enough and I'm just not sure that's the case. I think it's probably as simple as Sweeney not wanting to coach a rebuild.
Yup they are going to be really bad. And it's not tanking motivation (or reward)
BYU coach Kevin Young
Bulls adding former Pelicans front office staff Jarrett Sutton to the scouting department.
https://x.com/Ary_Report/status/2062534183931838637
yes I saw our resident INSIDER post a screenshot of the guy's twitter profile, instead of, I don't know, reporting it? Is this not something the team wants reported? (I guess likely not because they're weird about personnel)
It is pretty hilarious how a vast majority of the reports about the Bulls coaching search is coming from reporters who don’t cover the Bulls.
I think K.C.’s only contribution was reporting that Wes Unseld Jr. is being legitimately considered. Which confirms to me that he just reports what Michael and Pax tell him, because that feels like Michael and Paxson just wanting to boost Unseld Jr.’s stock on his way out as a favor to him.
From BN Bulls:
“In Bulls news, sources inform Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line that Chicago will apparently streamline their head coach search to a group of final contenders by early next week. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that Miami Heat associate head coach Chris Quinn, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, and former Billy Donovan-era Bulls assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. have emerged as some of the frontrunners.”
Feels like Unseld is benefiting just from being in the building already, so he has the easiest ability to answer questions about the players on the roster and is probably well-liked by Michael, Pax, and some of the AKME guys who are still here.
I think they’re going to hire Quinn, though. He’s young, a former player, comes from a respected organization, and has a lot of experience as an assistant coach.
a couple new front office hires just reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype https://bsky.app/profile/mikeascotto.bsky.social/post/3mnih2nbh722s
>> adding Alex Kaufman as Windy City Bulls general manager and Jarrett Sutton as a scout, both worked with Bulls executive Bryson Graham for six years with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Listen, if you have the organizational success of the New Orleans Pelicans to draw from, you'd be a fool not to!
Graham's going to hire Gar Forman here isn't he. Or he at least name-dropped Gar in the interview.
Per Stein/Fischer...FUCK THIS
>>The Bulls’ search is being led by new head of basketball operations Bryson Graham, but former top executive John Paxson, who is now a senior advisor, has also been part of the interview process, per Fischer and Stein.
"Can you describe a time when you experienced a critical, high-stress disagreement, specifically an instance where you were physically choked, and walk me through how you reacted, managed your response, and resolved the situation with an apology?"
Damn Stacey King just passed away. Rest in peace to one of the best. Made so many moments into core memories for the fanbase.
Need that old Stacey King soundboard right now
Sad news.
That boy is good. That boy is good Neil!
Hope they calling games together again
Isn't Funk still alive?
Opps, yes, sorry Neil. Hold off calling any more games with Stacey
Was Johnny Kerr I was remembering who passed
Ah yes that makes sense.
Also ask, and ye shall receive: https://www.101soundboards.com/boards/37966-stacey-king-soundboard
What are you doin, Dragic??
Did you not get the memo!?
I wanna go higher!!!
Devastated to hear about Stacey King.
Loved that guy.
Rest in peace, Stacey. Thanks for the great memories!
New post for Stacey King memories
https://substack.com/@blogabull/note/c-272267534?r=2bo