Chicago Bulls Thread

[puttincomputers]

a Personal dislike of him and his religious beliefs. which i will not go into here.

[Andrew]

none of the guys on the staff should even get CONSIDERATION for the coaching spot. that is a slap in the face of all the bulls fans. Pax talks of holding the bulls franchise to a high standard and he comes up with Bickerstaff as the leader for the new era in Bulls basketball. you seriously would continue to support a franchise run by Paxson (who by all means is an ass clown if he makes a hire like that)??!!!

what would make bulls fans here not be bulls anymore????

I agree, I don't want it to happen. No one's saying it should happen, it was just a pessimistic possibility that was thrown out there for discussion as far as I'm aware.

As for what would turn me off being a Bulls fan...good question, I really don't know and honestly couldn't say. I've remained a fan through the lows of the post-championship era and the disappointing blunders of the current regime, so I'm not sure what would test the limits of my loyalty as a fan to breaking point from here on out. I could certainly be disgusted, skeptical, cynical and scathing, but stop being a fan altogether? I don't know, I'm really not sure I ever would. I think I'd personally just become more jaded and critical.

EDIT: Further rebuttal of the Jackson rumours

A cagy Phil Jackson said Tuesday he has “no desire at all” to return to Chicago to coach the Bulls, though would “like to have a vodka” with the new owner of the New Jersey Nets.

The Los Angeles Lakers coach addressed two reports by ESPN that the Bulls and Nets have worked through back channels to gauge his interest, saying those channels haven’t reached him.

Jackson, who has coached teams to 10 NBA titles, is on the final year of his contract with the Lakers and has said there was “a 90 percent” chance he would either return to the team for an 11th season or would retire.

Probably won't end the speculation - denial never does silence the rumours and sometimes with good cause - but in this instance, I think it can be put to rest.

So...Lawrence Frank, Tom Thibadeau...who else should top the list?

[George7]

none of the guys on the staff should even get CONSIDERATION for the coaching spot. that is a slap in the face of all the bulls fans. Pax talks of holding the bulls franchise to a high standard and he comes up with Bickerstaff as the leader for the new era in Bulls basketball. you seriously would continue to support a franchise run by Paxson (who by all means is an ass clown if he makes a hire like that)??!!!

what would make bulls fans here not be bulls anymore????

i don't want PHil Jackson coming here either if he's bringing the triangle offernse with him

You're totally right with your first part.A team that wants to be considered a strong one has for sure a better option for the leader of this team in the bench.And Bickerstaff,is not like that good option.Thibodeau has good reputation and is known for his defense,and that will only help the Bulls squad.

About the fans thing.Personally although i wouldn't like at all to continue the bad seasons(by bad i mean being away from the 2nd round ,except in 2006 if i'm not mistaken-after the sweep at heat), i would remain a Bulls fan and in bad situations as well(all my life the situations were not that good for the bulls though,as i'm only 16,and the Jordan era was sth i couldn't remember that much )and with the hope of a redemption.

[air gordon]

i won't support a team run by Paxson if he makes a Bickerstaff type hiring. i'm not going to turn into those brain dead Cubs fans and support the team no matter what happens. i could easily be reeled back in if Paxson were to be fired though

[Andrew]

Fair enough. Let's really hope it doesn't come to that.

[George7]

Yeahmwith that point of view you're somewhat right i think

[Andrew]

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Thibodeau's Preference Is Chicago Job. However:

Bulls' coach search in slow lane

On May 4, Gar Forman said the Bulls' coaching search "could drag into June, maybe July."

He wasn't kidding.

Though the Bulls either have talked informally or conducted extensive background on at least Lawrence Frank, Tom Thibodeau, Maurice Cheeks, Elston Turner, Kevin McHale, Brian Shaw and Dwane Casey, sources close to several prospective candidates said no interviews are scheduled.

Even plans to fly to Boston and formally interview Celtics assistant Thibodeau, who will receive an offer from the Hornets, were scuttled after the Magic rallied to win the last two games in the Eastern Conference finals.

Again, it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in PaxMan™. They're already defending the loyalty of the organisation after Dywane Wade publicly questioned it.

[air gordon]

paxman haha...

the Thib situation is weird since he's still "working". "sources say"? so no one knows what is going on. doesn't seem like there's a story yet.

only Collins is off the board. don't think he was on the bulls radar. can't rip the bulls for that

[NovU]

How amusing all this is, from Miami fan standpoint. Seems like the negative media attentions between Bulls and Wade came at the worst time, possibly affecting other FAs too. I can see Wade getting booed in Chicago next season, but right now, it's funny to see how fans in Chicago blame and focus more on issues that Paxson has.

[Andrew]

How amusing all this is, from Miami fan standpoint. Seems like the negative media attentions between Bulls and Wade came at the worst time, possibly affecting other FAs too. I can see Wade getting booed in Chicago next season, but right now, it's funny to see how fans in Chicago blame and focus more on issues that Paxson has.

Let's not get too carried away here, it was one remark after all. If it is a concern to free agents, I doubt it's only just come to mind because Wade made that comment.

Meanwhile, while the Bulls drag their feet on a new head coach, the Hornets are talking contract with Thibodeau. Never fear, though, Brian Shaw is on their radar!

[air gordon]

How amusing all this is, from Miami fan standpoint. Seems like the negative media attentions between Bulls and Wade came at the worst time, possibly affecting other FAs too. I can see Wade getting booed in Chicago next season, but right now, it's funny to see how fans in Chicago blame and focus more on issues that Paxson has.

actually most of the media & fans... at least in chicago... are laughing at/criticizing Wade, who to no surprise backed off his "loyalty" comments


no good coach will come to Chicago because they don't want to coach in phil jackson's shadow

[NovU]

Not surprised, Wade backing down on his comments as Wade shouldn't even have made such a comment.

Though what's done is what's done, however it's good to hear the damage wasn't as big as I initially thought.

Back to more relevant matter, don't you guys think Vinny met or exceeded the expectations he was given? So it's only right that you guys have to land someone with more to offer than Vinny, but what are the chances?

[air gordon]

Wade's comments show that the bulls are a serious threat to acquire LBJ, Bosh, etc

when you factor in the amount of injuries the bulls had this year, VDN overachieved

it's a given the Bulls are looking for a better coach. the Del Negro standard is pretty low to begin with. it would be a shocker if he lands a NBA head coaching gig again.

the chances in landing a coach better then VDN are 100%. All the candidates out there have some kind of NBA coaching experience, whether it be as an assistant or head coach. VDN was a personnel guy with no coaching experience at any level. he had to learn on the job and it showed. sometimes it got real ugly

[NovU]

Wade's comments show that the bulls are a serious threat to acquire LBJ, Bosh, etc

You're right. Also I hate to admit but if Wade and Lebron are going to end up together, CHI would be the best place if we're speaking of instantly giving them best available players to work with.

[Andrew]

the chances in landing a coach better then VDN are 100%. All the candidates out there have some kind of NBA coaching experience, whether it be as an assistant or head coach. VDN was a personnel guy with no coaching experience at any level. he had to learn on the job and it showed. sometimes it got real ugly

True, though if it turns out to be Brian Shaw then that's a little bit of a letdown. I'd rather someone more accomplished with head coaching experience - outside Thibodeau, who now seems to be bound for the Hornets - but at least Shaw has experience as an assistant where Del Negro did not, gotta give him that.

[air gordon]

rotoworld is saying that Thibs is more interested in Nets job then the Hornets.

also they are reporting that Pax and Forwoman interviewed Thibs late wednesday nite.

this last minute interview... does this mean that Thibs is PaxWoman's guy???

[Andrew]

Maybe so. I figured with the Hornets talking contract that it was close to a done deal but perhaps not. Good to know that PaxMan is...you know...doing something, showing interest, making a pitch.

[George7]

I'm really confused with the next-coach talk.
So ,who are the possible targets for Paxson?
What;s going on with them?IS there any news?

PS. That's getting more complicated than Olympiakos' soccer team manger talk!

[Andrew]

From the sounds of it, Frank, Thibodeau, Shaw and Turner are amongst the top candidates.

[George7]

I would prefer the first two between those 4.
They're more known than the others,they have experience,and Thibodeau is well known for his defensive work too,sth Bulls need to improve

[Andrew]

Yeah, they'd be my top two as well.

[Sauru]

you cant have Thibodeau i wont let him go

[benji]

Is that a threat of a Celtic Pride like kidnapping?

[Sauru]

depends who is listening. also depends on what happens in the next 2 weeks lol

[john26]

they want lebron's prematurely ejected feces