Starring the Bulls' own John Paxson!
Good Idea: Hire a capable head coach with a winning mentality to change the culture of your basketball team.
Hire Doug Collins.
Come on, seriously Pax? That's the best you've got? Bringing back your former coach who couldn't get the job done even when you were playing? You're better than that!
I'm no expert on Collins, I'll admit. But I've done some reading (namely, The Jordan Rules (which only talks about Collins in short bursts) and When Nothing Else Matters. It could be the way he's portrayed in these two books, but I didn't walk away from either experience thinking he was a very good coach. Michael Leahy conveys that the reason Collins was brought in to coach the Wizards was because Jordan viewed him as being easily manipulated and controllable due to the relationship that Collins enjoys with his players. Collins is truly a players' coach. I'd love to post a particular passage or two about his inability to remain credible with players because he desires to maintain a level of friendship with them rather than professionalism, but I wouldn't want to disrespect the author of such an incredible book or put myself at risk.
If this is indeed a flaw with Collins, he's going to have a very hard time coaching this Bulls team. There are a lot of players and not enough minutes to go around, so it won't be easy for Collins to people-please. Ben Gordon and Luol Deng both have some ego issues (based on their self-evaluations of their own worth in last off-season's contract dealings), Kirk Hinrich needs to come back with a vengeance, plus Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes are both veteran players with a lot of pride while Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas still need consistent PT. Oh yeah, and they kind of have the number one pick overall. This is all in addition to the fact that this team was coached by Scott Skiles, and could experience a bit of a culture-shock if Collins doesn't play disciplinarian (which he seems unable to do, and I can't imagine him trying to force the issue on going against his style would do any good regardless). Between Avery and the ridiculous number of qualified assistant coaches, coaxing Collins out of broadcasting isn't the answer.
It's been said that the problem with the Bulls isn't physical, and that's true; Chicago has all the tools necessary to be a much better basketball team. They need a coach who can instill an ethic of winning and rebuild their spirit -- I'm positive that Collins is not their man.
5 comments:
You don't know how much I agree with you, man. I was REALLY shocked to see that the Bulls were seriously considering hiring Collins. I mean, that dude hasn't coached in 5 years, his last stints have been terrible and he seemingly doesnt win the respect of his players.
Is this really the way the Bulls want to start of a new era? By bringing in a coach who has proved lackluster at best? Really, I cant feel bad about this enough.
But really, fingers should be pointed at Paxson here. He seems to be afraid of risks, man. He didn't trade for Kobe, missed out on KG and Pau, and now is ready to hire a solid but unspectacular coach.
But apparently, things aren't final yet so let's hope Collins doesn't end up coaching the Bulls. Really, why didn't take a serious look at Avery or some other coach out there that has something to prove (Silas)? Why would they settle on someone who obviously doesnt seem to be motivated enough to chase a title? Very weird.
I'm basically looking at the way Byron Scott has re-emerged in New Orleans and (to a lesser extent) Doc Rivers in Boston. Those are hungry coaches looking to prove their previous teams wrong.
Now that you mention it, I think Silas would be a great fit for this team. But I agree with your blame on Paxson, he's been very reluctant to do anything aside from the safest of moves.
Hell, Silas would be a great fit for any young team! I remember him doing a great job with the Hornets adnd then really doing a solid job with Cleveland.
That's exactly the type of coach I'm talking about. Hungry and respectable.
And yes, Paxson has passed on so many great opportunities that it's getting ridiculous.
woah, good idea bad idea. i can't believe you remember that from when we were young. haha i like it.
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