NBA Veteran Ed Pinckney Joins Bulls' Collection Of Assistant Coaches

The Bulls announced yesterday the signing of Ed Pinckney, another assistant coach, to further bolster the staff supporting Tom Thibodeau. The release says that Pinckney indeed has assistant-coaching experience, serving in that capacity with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2007-2009 and with Villanova from 2003-2007.

Pinckney becomes the Bulls’ fifth assistant coach. One hopes the Bulls’ bench has enough seats to accommodate them as well as the players.

Bulls Add Adrian Griffin To Tom Thibodeau's Coaching Staff

As Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago writes, the Bulls have signed Adrian Griffin, a former Bucks assistant coach who appeared in 145 games for the Bulls during his playing days, as an assistant to new head coach Tom Thibodeau. Griffin joins Ron Adams and Andy Greer among Thibodeau’s assistants. Pete Meyers vacated his position in order to move to the front office.

VIDEO: Tom Thibodeau Talks About The Bulls' Future

From the Chicago Tribune:

VIDEO: Bulls GM Gar Forman On Thibodeau

From the Chicago Tribune website:

Tom Thibodeau: New Bulls Coach, Updates

From various news sources:

KC Johnson in the Tribune

Daily Herald

John Jackson in the Sun-Times (pre news-conference; Jackson talked with a childhood friend of Thibodeau

670 The Score

Thibodeau On Family And Support System

Family is great support system for Thibodeau. Two brothers, two sisters. Mentions other coaches (Van Gundy, Rivers, Myers) as others he relies on.

Press conference has ended; will post recap and further information later today.

Thibodeau On Family And Support System

Family is great support system for Thibodeau. Two brothers, two sisters. Mentions other coaches (Van Gundy, Rivers, Myers) as others he relies on.

Press conference has ended; will post recap and further information later today.

Forman On Draft And Thibodeau

Q: what are you going to do tomorrow night?

A: We have a lot of things on the board, a lot of angles, different directions. In regard to pick: we are going to use the pick unless we can package with something that’s significant.

Q: what sold you on Thibodeau?

A: they were not allowing him to interview last time Bulls were looking. Part of this job is to know league inside and out, we gathered a lot of info on all candidates, it became clear that Thibodeau was a fit. Very first person I called was Tom, talked to him a number of times. Were in communication the entire time. To us, “it was a natural” and “perfect fit”.

Thibodeau On Staff

“We’ll get a staff in here and put a premium on teaching.”

“To get a grasp of a team, go through the previous season, study hard, then make a plan.”

More on free agency. Q: what would you say to free agents to sell them?

“A lot to sell here — rich tradition of the organization, great city, great young nucleus to build around. Can’t imagine why any free agent wouldn’t seriously consider this team.”

Q: What about YOU would lure a free agent here? Does it help to share an agent with a top free agent? (LeBron, obviously)

“Agency I’ve chosen is a large agency. When players look at the franchise, they will look at coaches, players, all aspects.” (Good neutral answer)

Thibodeau Continues News Conference

Need “balanced” team, both offense and defense.

Question: what will you tell team?

“Set a tone and set our goals, who we are going to be. 5 things: defense, rebounding, low turnovers, inside out, unselfish. Establish that right from the start. Build championship habits — practice, prepare yourselves in weight room, preparing for games off the court.”

Q: What kind of coach are you?

A: “I’m a serious minded coach, but I will be well prepared, give this team a good plan. I’m fair, want to have great relationships with players, they come to work and it will be serious but enjoyable.”

Thibodeau On James And Bulls

Asked about possibility of coaching LeBron. Wouldn’t discuss pending free agent, but the playoff series with Bulls this year reminded him of previous series.

What about additional pressure of being “the guy” facing the media?

“Great, challenging”, says Thibodeau. Says he’s handled such things before in Boston.

Thibodeau On James And Bulls

Asked about possibility of coaching LeBron. Wouldn’t discuss pending free agent, but the playoff series with Bulls this year reminded him of previous series.

What about additional pressure of being “the guy” facing the media?

“Great, challenging”, says Thibodeau. Says he’s handled such things before in Boston.

Thibodeau Gives More Answers At News Conference

Thibodeau says he had two other opportunities, but felt Bulls were best opp. for the personnel already in place, also felt the look toward the future was the best.

Likes Chicago as “special place”. Coached in NY and Boston, knows how players feel when they come to Chicago. “Great fans, great support, great history.”

Head coach is “different role, but communication is important. Had a lot of responsibility with other teams, seen how other coaches have handled things. Have been through everything, championships, expansion, rebuilding.”

Thibodeau Gives More Answers At News Conference

Thibodeau says he had two other opportunities, but felt Bulls were best opp. for the personnel already in place, also felt the look toward the future was the best.

Likes Chicago as “special place”. Coached in NY and Boston, knows how players feel when they come to Chicago. “Great fans, great support, great history.”

Head coach is “different role, but communication is important. Had a lot of responsibility with other teams, seen how other coaches have handled things. Have been through everything, championships, expansion, rebuilding.”

More Thibodeau Answers

Likes Deng, says he is “underrated” and a “good competitor”. It’s “my job to make us better, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Question to Forman: what makes him ready?

Answer: “we wanted a coach with experience, but wanted the right fit for our team, our org, our personnel.”

Visited several times with him and he met all the criteria of what we were looking for, says Forman. Called him a “teacher” for Bulls personnel.

More Thibodeau Answers

Praises Celtics org for allowing him to interview during playoffs.

Doesn’t know that much about current Bulls players, but calls Rose “a very special player” and wants him to develop into team leader. Wants him to be a complete player, and become a better defensive player. Going to ask him to work hard every day, and work on it as a team. Expects him to be a leader.

Praises Noah, passion and energy for the game, improved rebounding and free throws. Underrated passer, “he plays to win”.

Was impressed by Taj Gibson as a rookie, playing good defense. Admires “versatility and competitive spirit” of Hinrich, felt he guarded Rondo, Pierce, Allen well in series vs. Celtics.

Thibodeau Answers Questions

Want to “get as many easy baskets as possible”, “running multiple sets”, take advantage of whoever they have. Says he will study tape from last season and have players well prepared for training camp.

Big thing to be championship caliber team: balance. Strong on offense AND defense, as conference finalists were this past season.

Will spend summer asking players to condition and be ready for camp.

Thibodeau Remarks

Thibodeau thanks people in the Celtics organization who helped him get to where he is, and “would not have left Boston if I felt this wasn’t an opportunity for the Bulls to be a championship caliber team”.

Says Bulls are “committed to being a championship cailber team”, says “they competed hard” against his team, praises Deng, Noah, Rose, Hinrich particularly.

Says Bulls have “great young nucleus” and staff (Paxson, Forman) put the team in position to be a player in free agency.

Chicago is “a great city with a great tradition and history of the team, a great sports town”, learned about Chicago from Doc Rivers. Mentions championships of Bears, White Sox, Bulls.

More Forman On Thibodeau

Thibodeau is “a winner”, says Forman. “Excited to have him as the leader of our basketball team”.

Forman Discusses Thibodeau

Forman says Thibodeau has been “a big part of coaching championship basketball” and “a big part of developing young players”, including Yao Ming and Rajan Rondo.

Thibodeau Press Conference Underway

Gar Forman now at the microphone apologizing for the “delayed” annoucement. Says Bulls are “excited” to announce the hiring of Thibodeau, who is wearing a red tie.

Thibodeau Press Conference Delayed

The press conference “will begin shortly”, per a crawl on CSN Chicago.

Bulls/Thibodeau News Conference Carried Live On CSN Chicago

You can watch the news conference live on CSN Chicago or follow it via this StoryStream™ at 11 am CDT today, Wednesday, June 23.

Bulls To Introduce Thibodeau This Wednesday, June 23rd

Multiple news outlets, including ESPN Chicago, are reporting that the Chicago Bulls have scheduled an introductory news conference for new head coach Tom Thibodeau this Wednesday, June 23rd, at the Berto Center.

Did The Bulls Offer Tom Izzo Before Hiring Tom Thibodeau?

We know that the Chicago Bulls have their man in Tom Thibodeau. But was he their back-up plan? ESPN.com is reporting that Joel Ferguson, chairman of the Michigan State Board of Trustees, claims that the Bulls offered Spartan head coach Tom Izzo the position prior to hiring Tom Thibodeau.

“Chicago made an offer to him,” Ferguson said, according to the report. “Tom didn’t run and say ‘[Chicago] made an offer, [so MSU] has to up the ante.’”

The Bulls have disputed this statement to ESPN.

A source within the Bulls organization told ESPNChicago.com’s Nick Friedell that the team did not make Izzo an offer; however, the source did acknowledge that the sides held discussions.

Analysis: Why Thibodeau Is The Right Choice, Part Trois

The praise for the Bulls' hire of Tom Thibodeau just keeps rolling in. Matt Moore of FanHouse explains how Thibodeau's attitude and approach will impact the team:

From a personality and motivational standpoint, you have to think Thibodeau is exactly what the doctor ordered for [Derrick] Rose. Thibs is notorious for his rants and hollering on the sideline. Rose, who often seems too quiet and reserved, could use someone like Thibodeau to challenge him. Because in the moments when we've really seen him angered and motivated, he's responded with a ferocity that leaves you begging for more. Versus Vinny Del Negro's calm, relaxed, almost zen like approach that many said the Bulls tuned out, Thibodeau is likely to get up in his star player's chest, having coached Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins. Thibodeau won't be afraid of any glares from Rose, and could push him to commit to the game like he hasn't before. And that's a terrifying thought for the Bulls' opponents.

Analysis: Why Thibodeau Is The Right Choice, Part Deux

John Jackson at the Sun-Times says Thibodeau is simply the best man for the job:

As hard as it might be for some to believe, the Bulls actually selected Thibodeau to be their next coach because they were impressed with his basketball knowledge during the interview, felt his vast experience in the NBA would be an asset and believe he’s ready to be a head coach.

Refreshing. Sure, it’d be nice if Thibodeau’s connection to LeBron James’ agents’ company would help bring LeBron to the Bulls. But Jackson sums it up neatly:

The fact that Bulls identified their guy and moved quickly to get him is a positive — and certainly an improvement over the last coaching search two years ago. And unlike Vinny Del Negro two years ago, the Bulls believe the adjustment period for Thibodeau will be short because of his vast experience on NBA benches.

Analysis: Why Thibodeau Is The Right Choice

Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo explains why Tom Thibodeau is the right pick for the Bulls:

Thibodeau, at the very least, has to restart a defensive mindset that hasn’t been in place since Scott Skiles flamed out as Chicago coach. The Bulls have the makeup to be a top five defensive team as is, but Derrick Rose has yet to improve defensively in his two years in this league, and the Bulls were pretty mediocre on that end under Del Negro. Lots of highs, lots of lows, quite average in the end.

The new coach has to change that. And if the rumors are true about Ron Adams (a former defensive whiz under Skiles) returning to Chicago after two seasons spent turning the Oklahoma City Thunder into all-world defenders despite their age, then the Bulls should be well on their way.

Report: Thibodeau Offer To Be Made Official After The Finals

The Sun-Times reports that the announcement of Tom Thibodeau as Bulls coach won’t be made until after the Finals:

Although it’s a done deal and Thibodeau will become the franchise’s 18th coach, no official announcement will be made until after the NBA Finals because the league office discourages teams from making major announcements during the Finals.

Thibodeau, 50, is expected to remain in his job with the Celtics through the completion of the series.

Bulls Make Three-Year Offer To Thibodeau

It has just been reported that the Bulls have offered Tom Thibodeau a three-year contract.

Thibodeau Likely To Get Offer From Bulls This Weekend

The Chicago Tribune reports that an offer to Tom Thibodeau may be near:

Two sources familiar with the Bulls’ thinking continued to paint the situation as Thibodeau’s job to lose and that an offer is expected to come this weekend.

Bulls Confirm Interest In Thibodeau

Via this Sun-Times article, it appears Thibodeau is the guy the Bulls want:

The Bulls’ meeting with Thibodeau was relatively short. They’ll probably have to wait until the Finals are over before having a more extensive interview, but they are content to wait now that they know he won’t be accepting another job in the interim.

The emergence of Thibodeau as the likely front-runner for the Bulls’ job is a little surprising since they entered the coaching search looking for someone with head-coaching experience. But his reputation as a solid coach with a strong defensive mind always intrigued them.

The major issue is whether the Bulls believe Thibodeau can successfully make the transition from assistant to head coach. Some who know him wonder if he has the personality necessary to deal with players as a head coach where motivation often is more important than X’s and O’s.

Thibodeau, though, will get an opportunity to dispel that belief when he sits down with Forman, Paxson and possibly chairman Jerry Reinsdorf when the Finals conclude.

Thibodeau Reportedly Declines Hornets Job

John Jackson of the Sun Times reports that NBA sources say that Tom Thibodeau has declined the New Orleans Hornets head coaching offer. That offer reportedly had an expiration date of the start of tonight’s game one of the NBA Finals.

Jackson also writes that Thibodeau would only reject an offer from the Hornets if he knew that he had another head coaching job already lined up, perhaps even the job for the Bulls.

Bulls Apparent Frontrunner For Tom Thibodeau

Reports are out that members of the Bulls have flown to L.A. to interview Tom Thibodeau for the Bulls' head-coaching gig. K.C. Johnson of Chicago Breaking Sports writes,

On the eve of the NBA Finals, league sources said Bulls management flew to Los Angeles to interview Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau for their head-coaching vacancy late Wednesday. 

The meeting hadn't taken place as of nearly 10 p.m. Chicago time Wednesday, but sources said both general manager Gar Forman and senior vice president John Paxson were in Los Angeles. 

Thibodeau is a highly regarded assistant coach with the Celtics, and having him helm the Bulls would likely spell good news for the team, with or without LeBron James.