Vinny is finally out as Bulls coach- And Gar Forman and John Paxson had a press conference. They praised Vinny. Paxson apologized for the tie-pulling incident. Forman announced the Bulls didn't necessarily have a list of coaching candidates or a time-line or any plan they wanted to articulate. In the end, we all learned a little bit more about ourselves. And life itself.
So with Vinny finally in the rear view mirror, the search for a new coach is on. Until free agency starts, then there's new madness. I expect plenty of odd thoughts for that.
For now its Bad Sports Thoughts' favorite David Haugh. Shockingly, he wrote a good basketball article. Check it out here. (I will give credit where its due. When I can). Still, there was his thoughts on the Bulls and not hiring Doug Collins for a second term as Bulls coach.
Here's some more new Hold Steady and the column. Enjoy.
Bulls can't pass on Collins this time
By David Haugh
May 3, 2010
Hope for the sake of the Bulls that Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's trip into Chicago over the weekend to plot the future of the franchise was no sentimental journey.
That's how the Bulls got into this mess two years ago. Reinsdorf followed his heart, which eventually caused his head to throb.
He made the mistake of deciding against hiring Doug Collins as Bulls coach out of fear that one day he would have to fire his close friend. Reinsdorf probably doesn't buy flowers either because they just die.
So your story is on the fact that Reinsdorf didn't do what was best for the Bulls by letting his friendship with Doug Collins get in the way of hiring him. Except that's not the entire story-- Doug Collins also backed out. It was a mutual decision-- not just one by Reinsdorf. That was in the John Jackson column-- see, I told you I'd come back to it.
The only people who appreciated Reinsdorf's gesture more than Collins may have been the teams ahead of the Bulls in the Eastern Conference. As much as Vinny Del Negro got out of the Bulls in two straight playoff seasons, it's natural to wonder whether an experienced coach such as Collins would have gotten even more.
Actually, if Collins was hired and fell apart like he's done in past gigs, it might be something for all fans to appreciate. That being said, Collins probably would have gotten more out of the Bulls since he's a better coach. Not really much to wonder.
"It's not a great thing for friends to jeopardize a relationship for business,'' Reinsdorf said when passing on Collins in June 2008.
The chairman probably still believes that. But what if sticking to that principle now jeopardizes the relationship between that business and, say, the Eastern Conference finals?
Lets' try to remember what actually happened. As I remember, after D'antoni went to New York and the Bulls search stalled, Collins emerged from nowhere to be considered for the job. I think it was actually a favor to Reinsdorf. The friendship is what created the situation in the first place.
And the important thing would be the development of Derrick Rose. And an NBA championship. Eastern Conference finals is too small a goal.
The thought of Reinsdorf changing a course the Bulls have charted since December by inviting Del Negro back is as crazy as the notion of Vinny and Pax singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game'' at a Cubs game. A businessman as good as Reinsdorf quickly should realize that, according to people who have worked around both recently, there was no creative tension produced between Paxson and Del Negro — just tension.
Yes, Vinny's gone-- but they'll pretty much have anyone do the seventh inning stretch. So don't count that out.
The Bulls need to stop overanalyzing this. Due perhaps to legal questions lingering over the March 30 physical altercation, it has already taken longer than necessary to make official the conclusion reached long ago. Whether Del Negro earned another season for the admirable way he embraced his role as NBA martyr, changing head coaches benefits everybody.
Wait, benefits everyone? Weren't you fighting for Vinny's job a week ago? Like here. If you were willing to commit a column to Vinny's great coaching ability, why wouldn't you keep making the argument for him to stay?
Don't say the Bulls have ample time to find a coach before the draft and free agency. That's true if you are limiting your imagination to the relatively uninspiring pool of candidates such as Lawrence Frank, Byron Scott and Eric Musselman, whom the Bulls contacted in December to gauge his interest in Del Negro's job, a source said.
Scott boldly made public his interest while Del Negro still was figuring out how to stop the Cavaliers during the playoffs. Usually when a coach says he would pick up the phone, it never rings.
On second thought, maybe Scott would be the perfect Reinsdorf candidate — an easy guy to fire.
Seriously, the longer the Bulls drag this transition process out, the more they risk losing their most obvious and qualified candidate. That is Collins, naturally.
Yes, the coaching options aren't quite awe-inspiring. But don't make a move out of panic or just because you feel you need to do it. That's how the 5 year $72 million Deng contract came about. And I thought Jerry and Doug were buds-- wouldn't that buy a little bit of time?
Move fast. Tempt Collins with a $5 million salary offer. Let him bring respected NBA scout and ex-assistant Brian James, the former Glenbrook North High School coach who knows Collins as well as anybody and the roster from scouting it all season. Keep Lindsey Hunter, who played for Collins from 1996-98 in Detroit, on the staff to help bridge the gap between the new coach and his players.
Don't the Bulls already have a scouting department? And what do you care how much he gets paid? And Lindsey Hunter? Is the guy who bravely played about 6 minutes this year the next great bridge guy? I didn't realize all the coaches were leaving-- Pete Myers might have a say with the current roster.
Collins last coached the Bulls in 1989, fired after losing in the Eastern Conference finals. If Reinsdorf insists on injecting any nostalgia into the equation, sell Collins on the idea of getting a chance to take the Bulls where he couldn't 21 years ago — Point C, if you will.
Wait, shouldn't the Bulls try to get to Point B first? And nothing says good business decision like chasing the white whale that got away over 2 decades ago. Wait, is the Bulls gig a symbol of Collins' own mortality? I take it back, this column is probably the deepest, most intricate, most layered column print journalism has ever seen.
Reinsdorf needs to approach Collins quickly without worrying about what may happen under the worst-case scenario. How about considering the possibilities of pairing the best available head coach with Derrick Rose?
Emotion never should enter the equation. It's business — the business of winning — and the Bulls can get closer to their industry's bottom line by hiring the right guy this time.
Who just happened to be the right guy the last time too.
Yes, Rose should be coached by the best coach possible. That's understood-- but there's no way emotion won't play a role when talking about Collins. But the emotion will be there-- there's more than 2 decades of history. And, no matter how much it should be all business, it becomes tougher with Collins involved.
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