Chicago Bulls fans would probably agree that the beginning of the end for Gar Forman and John Paxson was their decision to fire Tom Thibodeau as head coach. This despite him having just led the team to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Thibodeau had never had a losing season during his time in Chicago. The problem is he wanted more say in the composition of his roster. Something Forman and Paxson weren’t willing to allow. This led to gradually rising tension until the inevitable split.
Thibodeau went up to Minnesota where he dragged the Timberwolves out of the mud to their first playoff appearance since 2004. A reminder that he is one of the best coaches in the NBA. At age 62 he should still have plenty of gas in the tank. Odds are he’ll get hired somewhere before too long. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times made it seem like a return to the Bulls isn’t out of the question.
While the fate of Jim Boylen remains uncertain, Cowley listed three names to watch in the event he is fired. One of them was Thibodeau.
“Tom Thibodeau — Much like a shark is put in the ocean to only swim and eat, Thibodeau was made a coach to win games. That’s what he does, everywhere he goes. He was continuing to float around to different NBA camps before the shutdown, and by all accounts has evolved from even his stint with Minnesota, let alone his time with the Bulls. Thibodeau would bring instant credibility to the restructure.”
Chicago Bulls may want a return to what worked
This may have seemed crazy to think about a couple of years ago. Way too much bad blood. However, with Forman fired and Paxson out of the picture things have changed. Arturas Karnisovas is the man in charge now. Somebody with a lot of respect around the NBA. The two actually crossed paths from 2004 to 2007 when they both worked for the Houston Rockets. Thibodeau as an assistant coach and Karnisovas as a scout.
So there is a familiarity there. Perhaps Bulls ownership wants to go back to somebody they know has had success in Chicago. Thibodeau would instantly fix their defensive problems and he’d have some really good offensive weapons to develop in Zach Lavine and Coby White. Ultimately it comes down to two things. Is Thibodeau himself even interested in such an idea and would Karnisovas see it as a good move? It is his call, don’t forget.
If one were placing bets, the odds are the Bulls go a different direction. Somebody younger with a reputation for being a player’s coach.
