In case you haven’t noticed what the Boston Celtics have been up to lately, they’re on a six-game playoff winning streak against the two best regular season teams in the league. During that six-game stretch, the Celtics have held the Cavaliers and Magic to 87, 88, 85, 88, 92 and 71 points.
Mind you, coming into their series against the Celtics, the Magic were 8-0 in the playoffs and averaging 101.0 PPG while shooting almost 50 percent from the field and nearly 40 from downtown. Against the Boston Stranglers, they’re scoring 83.7 PPG while hitting only 39 percent of their field goals and 28 percent of their threes. As Zach Harper of Cowbell Kingdom pointed out: “Their offensive rating is down to 95 points per 100 possessions. For reference, the 12-70 Nets were last in the NBA with 100.6 points per 100 possessions.” And remember: During the regular season, the Magic were ranked 4th in Offensive Rating.
It’s no wonder the Bulls are targeting Boston assistant coach and defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau.
According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune: “League sources confirmed the Bulls have requested permission to interview Thibodeau — who is not permitted to talk to media, a team rule for assistant coaches — for their head coaching vacancy. That interview could take place during the Celtics’ break between the Eastern Conference finals and NBA Finals should they finish off their 3-0 lead over the Magic. … In 18 NBA seasons with the Timberwolves, SuperSonics, Spurs, 76ers, Knicks, Rockets and Celtics, Thibodeau’s teams have finished in the top 10 defensively 15 times.”
In related news, Phoenix Suns assistant “Thunder” Dan Majerle is willing to listen if the Bulls call him about their coaching vacancy. As of now, they haven’t called.
Thunder Dan? The guy was competitive, but no mastermind. Is Jud Buechler going to try for an interview, or maybe Detlef Schremf? Hey, maybe Majerle can coach, but I think they need to put all of the chips on Tom Thibodeau – He is more than likely the best available.
I also just read that Lenny Wilkens would consider coaching again and mentioned the Bulls having a good team. I know he is old but has an impressive resume for sure. Wilkens, Scott, and Thibodeau all deserve interviews for the job.
I have been thinking/presuming that the Bulls were taking their sweet time on this because the wanted to interview assistants who were still in the playoffs. Which is why I am not currently worried about them not having replaced VDN yet.
How bout the guy with the lizard face who just got fired?
Thibodeau is exactly the kind of coach the Bulls need. Defensive minded, with playoff experience and success as an assistant. He could be the next big deal as a head coach. Of course he could be a flop also. There are no guarantees. But we must remember that anyone who has prior head coaching experience and is available (unemployed), is available for some reason that has to do with a lack of success. Thibodeau does not fit Gar’s list of preresquites because he does not have head coaching experience. If I am the Bulls management team I take the chance on Thibodeau, he can find an offensive guru like Jackson did. Defense wins championships.
Please let’s not consider Brown, his team struggled against the Bulls and lost to the Celtics, because the Cavs did not adjust to the defensive abilities of the Celtics.
Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Dan … NOOOOOOO!
we’ve been decent on defense for the past5yrs. in reality we need an offensive minded coach
john calipari and lebron
The Bulls NEED AN EXPERIENCE GOOD HEAD COACH! and Byron Scott or Rick Adelman are the right guys for the job!
Is there really a shot at Adelman?
Most of the guys on the board have one important thing in common with VDN, …none of them have lead their teams to any championships. I know it takes a nearly perfect storm to get one, but you cannot deny that guys like Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, and Larry Brown have some quality that literally, tangibly makes their teams better. None of the coaches available have that qulaity and that is why they are currently unemployed. I do not know if Thibodeau has it either, but I grow weary of the re-treads. I say roll the dice with Thibodeau, he’s the best odds of the field.
What you said, Brad.
Any chance Rudy Tomjanovich might be interested in returning to coaching?
Hey Raevyrn, Wilkins and Tomjanovich would be long shot since they have been out of coaching for a while. But I would prefer to have either of those two than Frank or Cheeks without a doubt.
Yeah Savage, that’s my feeling as well. Rudy has championship experience coaching those two Rocket teams. I know he’s just a scout now for the Lakers and had to retire due to some health issues(cancer I believe), but I’d think they should at least reach out to him.