<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bulls announce they have fired coach Tom Thibodeau.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/603956230072082432">May 28, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thibodeau knew it was coming and will collect the $9 million owed him on his contract.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/603958034767990784">May 28, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
defensive assistant coach? I noticed each of the teams Rockets played in the playoffs had a lot of former head coaches on their benches
So what head coaching gigs are still available? Hopefully he won't go after the Pelicans guy since JVG is already interviewing for it.
True. But McHale is on an upward trajectory with this team. You don't fire a guy when he's gone from the lottery to the 8th seed to the 5th seed(and 4th best record) to the 2nd seed, a division title, and the WCF. Not saying coaches being canned after a Conference Finals appearance is unprecedented(ask Hollins and Carlisle), but it ain't happening. Especially after he signed the 3-year extension.
The main thing McHale has going for him is that he really really really understands and knows his team. He knows what they are capable of, when they under perform and how to motivate them. Honestly it is hard to completely grade his X's and O's because the team has only one player that can create.
I'm not advocating a coaching change. I would put Thibs and McHale in same coaching bracket as I would suspect the Rockets and Bulls records would be similar if they switched positions.
Thibs would be a horrible fit for this team. Imagine mentally fragile guys like Harden and Howard playing under him. Agreed about the lack of a 2nd playmaker. Something tells me our offense would be a lot more diverse if we had another guy who could actually create his own shot.
I feel like Thibs is a bit overrated. He's a really good coach but his Bulls teams were loaded with talent. Injuries yes, but usually all teams run into those issues.