The Chicago Bulls haven't dazzled anyone with their frugal decision making during the 2012 NBA offseason, but TNT analyst and former NBA great Charles Barkley is downright disgusted with how the they've gone about business with regard to head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls picked up Thibodeau's 2013 option earlier in the year, but the two sides have yet to reach a contract extension to keep the 2010-11 NBA Coach of the Year in Chicago long-term. Barkley had some pointed thoughts on the topic that he unleashed during a recent interview on The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000:
"I think it's a disgrace that they haven't taken care of Tom Thibodeau. This guy is unbelievable. I'm surprised they haven't given him a long ... But apparently (the Chicago Bears) screwed Matt Forte for the last year and a half. Something bout you guys in Chicago, you're all cheap, you don't want to pay people."
"The Bulls came out of nowhere the last two years...for that team to have the best record in the NBA (in 2010-11) and be right there again (in '11-12), and I have to tell you something, it ain't like they have a bunch of (butt-kickers) on that team, I might add. They just play great defense, and they play with great energy. But when you stack up the Bulls against the elite teams, they're not the most talented bunch in the world."
He went on to say he thinks the Bulls can win 50 games in 2012-13 despite Derrick Rose's predicted absence during the early part of the year, but their status as a contender isn't quite as clear. In any case, now we all know that he thinks Chicago is cheap and that the Bulls have botched their negotiation process with Tom Thibodeau.
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