Tom Thibodeau is a front runner for the Chicago Bulls new head coach

http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm


New Orleans’ interest in Tom Thibodeau has caused the Bulls to step up plans to interview the Boston assistant. They are hoping to meet with Thibodeau when the Celtics-Magic playoff series ends, if not sooner. Some league sources suggest Thibodeau has become the frontrunner for the Bulls job. Ex-Portland and Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks remains a strong candidate, while former Nets coach Lawrence Frank has slipped. The Bulls held informal talks with both Cheeks and Franks this week during the Chicago predraft camp. If any coach is going to get LeBron James’ attention, it might be Thibodeau. He designed the defense that helped Boston eliminate the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs. The Bulls think they have a chance to sign the two-time MVP as a free agent this summer. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

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 his only public comments since dismissing Vinny Del Negro on May 4, general manager Gar Forman said the Bulls are in "no rush" to hire somebody and the search could extend into June or, less likely, July. But if the Bulls want to hire Thibodeau, 50, they might have to hurry. The Hornets are expected to interview the defensive guru for a second time in the near future. "Tom puts in tireless hours," Celtics All-Star Paul Pierce said. "When I come in the gym late night, he's always in his office watching film, figuring out a defensive game plan for the next opponent." Chicago Tribune

Some league sources suggest Thibodeau has become the frontrunner for the Bulls job. Ex-Portland and Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks remains a strong candidate, while former Nets coach Lawrence Frank has slipped. The Bulls held informal talks with both Cheeks and Franks this week during the Chicago predraft camp. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Those who know him well say Thibodeau has been anxious for a chance at a head job in the NBA. He's known as a tireless worker who can draw up strategies as well as anyone. He's also been popular with the Celtics players. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

He is going to be hotter than a drunk cheerleader on prom night after this run in the playoffs. He is gone I imagine.

Jeb

Anything for a story.

Certainly he is a great defensive coach. That said can he run the whole thing? And would mhe have the ear of the players too.

Our defensive schemes are run well but we have the guys willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. And that might not happen as easy anywhere else. Certainly few have the inside beef of a Perk to be the anchor and a swarm of bees out front like Rondo to harrass the dickens out of the other point guard. Plus the intimidation of KG? What team comes close to this?

If he goes I'd wish him well and I certainly don't blame him for looking to cash in. Just like I never blamed Posey either, and look what he got out of it.

beat

Beat,
Well said!
Thank you,
AK

I think Tibs would be crazy to leave. The Celtics job is his as soon as Doc steps aside - and he could stay close to home, with the team he helped to build into a champion, and with the greatest franchise in professional sports.

I agree with Kleen. What's the hurry? It's possible that Rivers leaves next year. Look at the league for stability in head coaches and you see Doc's been here a long time, thru good and bad. That's an organization I'd want to work for.

Hoop

Kleen makes a more than valid point. thibs has history with this team and after this season might well be a part of 1/9th of the team championship teams. He already is established with our players and has earned their respect and attention.

Easily Thibs is the best availble canidate for a coaching job in the league.. however for him to stay is a win-win for both sides.

for Boston: (1) losing Thibs will hurt us, and help another team. Keeping him even as an assistant prevents both those eventualities (2) If thibs stays he could do so with the understanding that he is the heir to Doc job. Doc could go after this season, or possibly within a couple more. For us, it'd insure us one of the best coaches availbe was ours for the taking - which means our bread and butter- our defense reamins intack.

for Thibs: (1) Doc will retire sooner or later, maybe this season even. If it was made clear the job of replacing Doc was HIS, he'd be in the position to take over a team that he knows, that knows and already respects him (2) he'd essentialy be taking over a team he's helped mold and create, the transition would be that much easier (3) he'd be taking over a championship caiber team with a proven organization that wins and treats its people with respect (he knows Danny wont try to beat him up- will he have that assurnce with Paxon?

us fans really ought to be gettign some sort of movement going to make sure Thibs knows he;s loved here and no one wants him to leave...

Kee-rist!!

Can you imagine if Chicago lands LeBron AND Thib?

bob

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Lebron will do what Obama tells him to do! Thibs may just grab for the dough for a big pay day (not the candy bar). If he's set financially, he may wait for Rivers to make an exit stage left!-MD!

MDCelticsFan wrote:Lebron will do what Obama tells him to do! Thibs may just grab for the dough for a big pay day (not the candy bar). If he's set financially, he may wait for Rivers to make an exit stage left!-MD!

MD,

"Obama"?

Was he a member of the Phi Slamma Obama fraternity with Hakeem and Rexler?

bob

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The New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting that the New Orleans Hornets are expected to make a contract offer to Tom Thibodeaux.

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2010/05/boston_celtics_assistant_tom_t.html

Can you make an offer to a coach while his team is still in the playoffs and his contract is still ongoing? Isn't that tampering?


bob

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I am surprised that the Celtics are allowing him to interview during the playoffs. It is such a distraction. An offer to him is definitely tampering as long as he is under contract with the Celtics.

I wonder why he would consider leaving this team with the possibility that the job of Coach might be open at the end of the year. Maybe he knows more than we are being fed.

Thibs is an awesome defensive coach. I just wonder how good he will be as a manager of a bunch of large egos, no matter where it might be. ''

Anyway, good luck to him, he certainly has the respect of every player on this team and has since he got here. If he leaves, I wish him nothing but succdess except against the Celtics!

Other teams that contact Thibodeau cannot be charged with tampering unless the Celtics file charges with the league. That will not happen because the Celtics have granted permission.
Below is the league's view/definition of tampering.

'Tampering is when a player or team directly or indirectly entices, induces or persuades anybody (player, general manager, etc.) who is under contract with another team to negotiate for their services. The NBA takes tampering very seriously and may impose stiff penalties if it is discovered, however the league will not investigate unless another team files tampering charges.'

The main reason teams allow their coaches to meet with other teams during the playoffs is because if they don't, the coach is at a significant disadvantage to get hired for a job for the following season. If the Celtics go to game 7 of the Finals, that is only 1 week from the draft on 6/24.
All of the other assistant coaches and head coaches whose teams have been eliminated, their contracts expired after their team's season ended. Also, there are many college coaches who might get a job before Thib if he had to wait until Boston was eliminated to meet with other teams to discuss an available coaching position.

Bob: That was Phi Slamma Jamma, and it was Drexler, not Rexler-By the way, looks like Thibs is New Orleans bound. Now who do the Celts get to take his place?-MD!

MDCelticsFan wrote:Bob: That was Phi Slamma Jamma, and it was Drexler, not Rexler-By the way, looks like Thibs is New Orleans bound. Now who do the Celts get to take his place?-MD!

MD,

Yes, I know it was Phi Slamma Jamma and not Phi Obama Slamma or whatever it was I wrote. I was just goofing on your post about Obama. I'm seeing now, though, that I should probably stay away from politics and religion.

And I always called him 'Rexler' because he had no 'D'.

bob

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