Comments on: The curious future of Vinny Del Negro

By: Sir Charles: “Give Vinny some credit.” » By The Horns

Sir Charles: “Give Vinny some credit.” » By The Horns — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:13:44 +0000

[…] During an appearance on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000, Charles Barkley gave mad props to — wait for it — Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. You know, the same guy who was put on a Death Watch back in December. […]

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:54:39 +0000

You make some terrific points, Matt. Although I do like the fact that us Chicagoans like to settle for noting but the best, I do prefer it when we see things for what they are – not what we want them to be. I whole-heartedly expected us to take a step back – such as we did in 06-07 (when some experts thought we might go to the Finals). I’m one of those guys that sees a team that can go the Finals or one that can’t – and this is one that can’t. This is a team that has some good pieces in place for the future. Let’s look at what we can do to mold this team to look like the ones that can go to the Finals now (Boston, the Lakers, the Magic, etc.) Vinny or no Vinny…..

By: The Mid-Afternoon Milk Mustache, featuring Yao’s words of wisdom | Stacheketball, an NBA Blog

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:42:44 +0000

[…] The Fu Manchu: Matt McHale opines about what the future might entail for Bulls’ coach Vinny Del Negro. [By The Horns] […]

By: Vic De Zen

Vic De Zen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:30:52 +0000

This is exactly what it sounds like just before a coach is fired.

By: Tony C.

Tony C. — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:54:39 +0000

“Are these Bulls really underachieving?”

Yes, unequivocally. They are underperforming individually, and as a team.

No one is suggesting that a better coach would magically transform the current roster into a deep playoff team, but VDN’s weakness are both numerous and glaring. And frankly, I think the team would be better off without him even if they don’t find a reasonable replacement until the off-season.

By: Tre Exel

Tre Exel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:34:09 +0000

It pains me to watch the Bulls now. Though I think he deserves more of a fighting chance, his ego is definately a tad large. The guys look tired. And why James Johnson isnt getting meaningful minutes is beyond me. Maybe he’ll finally allow Tyrus Thomas to play ball when he returns.

By: TexasBullsFan

TexasBullsFan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:22:31 +0000

You know, I’ve called for Vinny’s head just as much as the next guy, but you actually make quite a few good points here. This team is pretty poorly constructed, and has been for years.

Granted, I think Vinny will get the axe, and that right quick. Mostly because when a team is this bad, you can’t fire all the players. The coach is just a convenient scapegoat.

All that said, I don’t like his coaching style, or lack thereof. Can anyone say what his strategy is? He wants the team to gang rebound, yet he also wants them to run. Those are two mutually exclusive ideas. Gang rebounding teams can’t run, and running teams can’t gang rebound. There are so many times in the half-court set where the ball just kind of sits there, no play running, no screens, no nothing. Everyone just kind of mills around like a 5th and 6th grade boys team just learning how to play as a team. So many times we settle for a wild jumpshot from deep 2-point range with 17 or 18 seconds on the clock. It’s like we didn’t even try to drive to the hoop or go down low.

Suffice it to say, this team isn’t a champion without Del Negro. But the sure as hell aren’t champions with him.