No so long ago, John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that: “Bulls general manager Gar Forman has settled on the model for his ideal candidate — someone who has had not only head-coaching experience, but also postseason experience in the league.”
So naturally they just interviewed an assistant coach with no head coaching experience:
“With Doug Collins accepting the Philadelphia 76ers’ coaching vacancy Thursday, the Chicago Bulls moved on with their coaching search, interviewing Houston Rockets assistant coach Elston Turner for four hours Thursday afternoon, according to sources, at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. The 50-year-old Turner has become a top head coaching candidate in the last three years, after a career as an assistant with the Kings, Blazers and Rockets. … He has developed a reputation as an excellent Xs and Os tactician in his years as Rick Adelman’s top assistant in Houston, which followed the Portland and Sacramento stints.”
Turner sounds like a fine fellow with a long history as a valued assistant…but he doesn’t exactly meet Forman’s “head coaching and playoff experience” criteria, does he?
Meanwhile, Doug Collins is spoken for and you can probably cross Avery Johnson off the list of potential Bulls coaches. From ESPNChicago:
“The Chicago Bulls apparently will once again look past former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson in their search for a coach. Johnson, who has spent the past two seasons as an analyst for ESPN, talked with executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson about the Bulls job in 2008 that eventually went to Vinny Del Negro. Now with Del Negro fired and the Bulls in search of a coach again, Johnson hasn’t gotten any attention to this point from the Bulls.”
Brad Miller for player / coach, anyone? (I’m kidding! Mostly.)
What the F! Why is the Bulls management so inept, stubborn, and proud. I really hate those douchebags. Avery Johnson is obviously the best coaching option out there hands down, yet we’re too proud to bring him in. Instead they’re looking at candidates who will blindly follow whatever they say, basically they want another figurehead, another VDN or Mike Brown from Cleveland (We all know Lebron ran that team, after all Brown spent most of his time planning how to best enunciate during his interviews).
I want to punch Gar Forman in his droopy face and get VDN to kick Paxson’s ass. Even if the Bulls bring in Lebron and another top free agent, I will give no props to the management, though they’ll probably take credit for it. What landed us in the fortuitous position in the first place was getting lucky with the first overall draft pick two years ago, without that we’d probably resemble the Detroit Pistons.
Brad Miller for Coach!! I want to arrange everyone to walk around the United Center rooting for B52 to be the next coach of the Bulls. His drills will include agitating the opponent, grabbing your face when the opponents hands get near your head, how to properly under-cut for an offensive rebound, and speed/agility skills! I would imagine they could set up a package deal with Brad and Lebron… LeBrad!!
All kidding aside, I really really hope he is part of the Bulls team next season. Do the same thing they did with Hunter – keep him on the team for 1/2 a season and then make him a coach.
Avery Johnson, got his head handed to him by the 8th seeded GSW in one of the greatest upsets in NBA playoffs.
He was completely out-coached by a gin soaked Nellie.
No Mav injuries or excuses.
So who wants this guy to coach the Bulls?
Avery Johnson also is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history, if you’re just looking at straight up percentages….
The reason why the bulls aren’t going after Avery Johnson is because he ripped the Bulls front office for firing Del Negro. I want them to go after Frank or Thibodeau. Frank has made it to the post season several times and is a good coach, and Thibodeau has been a good assistant in the leauge for years.
HOw about none of these guys! The Bulls should go after Byron Scott or Rick Adelman as their new head coach!!!
Both of these guys have a great resumes for working with PG’s and they both have improve team’s and took them into the playoff’s.
I totally agree, the Bulls should go after Adelman or Scott as their new head coach!