Getty Images
The Chicago Bulls will look back on this day and realize they made a mistake—a big mistake.
The Bulls announced today that they have fired Tom Thibodeau and will be looking for a new head coach. Thibodeau had two years and $9 million left on his contract, and the Bulls will be required to still pay him every penny he’s owed.
Thibodeau will go immediately to the top of every team’s wish list that needs a new head coach, and the New Orleans Pelicans rumors will begin immediately. Thibodeau would be a great fit with a young team in New Orleans, and he knows he’ll be joining a team that has one of the top five players in the league in Anthony Davis.
If that pairing happens, expect Thibodeau and Davis to rise towards the top of the Western Conference sooner rather than later. Thibodeau and Davis have the potential to become a Gregg Popovich– Tim Duncan, Phil Jackson– Michael Jordan, Pat Riley– Magic Johnson combination.
Bulls management could not get past their differences with Thibodeau and even mentioned it in the press release, alluding to the fact that they felt they couldn’t trust him and he violated the Bulls “culture.” The fact that the press release didn’t simply announce the termination and wish him well shows how angry they are with their former coach.
The Bulls hit the open market. It’s doubtful Jeff Van Gundy would consider that position as he and Thibodeau remain good friends. There will be rampant Fred Hoiberg rumors, but the last time an Iowa State coach was hired by the Bulls it was a complete disaster (Tim Floyd). That’s not to say the Bulls can’t find a good coach, but the odds of them finding one nearly as talented as Thibodeau are slim at best.
Thibodeau is an excellent coach, and he’s only going to improve as he continues his career. He has the chance to become one of the great coaches of all time. The Bulls will be an afterthought in Thibodeau’s career, much like the Cleveland Browns are with Bill Belichick.
This was not a good move by the organization. This was a hostile situation that needed to be tempered rather than severed, and it was a complete organizational failure that they couldn’t resolve their issues with Thibodeau. This is an unfortunate day for Bulls fans, and it’s going to be a day the Bulls organization will live to regret.
Bill Zimmerman is a featured writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
