Bulls Fire Tibs

[JustWinBaby]

The Suns had four great seasons under Mike D'Antoni. I enjoyed the ride. No doubt talent was the big reason. However, in good faith, I cannot understand why many Suns fans want to give him zero credit.

In all this, looking back, Bryan Colangelo probably deserves more credit for assembling the cast of Marion, Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Steve Nash.

Bryan Colangelo's best decision was to hire D'Antoni. How many would have preferred that we kept Frank Johnson as our head coach? Getting players for the head coach to coach is and should be his main job. That is what Bryan did. MDA did a great job coaching them, including Steve Nash. Great times were had by all.

Now all of the top teams are playing fast with small lineups. You cannot compete in this league now if you cannot play small. When MDA did it, many thought he had no clue. He had no choice.

Bryan's next best decision was to leave this franchise. That meant he got away from Robert Sarver, who is the real place all the blame for any failure should be placed. He is and has been a horrible owner. He was more concerned with the bottom line than winning games. Who in the world besides him would make Lon Babby the face of their franchise.

We are and have been a freaking mess. Thanks Bob.

 

[BC867]

We are and have been a freaking mess. Thanks Bob.

And thanks, Jerry, for selling to 'Bob'.

 

[FArting]

Hoiberg is going to take the Bulls job.

Iowa State needs to go after Hornacek.

 

[JustWinBaby]

D'Antoni's record in Phoenix was 4-13 in games Nash didn't play. Pretty much anytime he wasn't on the court they sucked, and that was with several guys who were absolutely perfect for running and gunning still being out there.

Those teams were stacked with talent, and if anything D'Antoni's stubbornness and ineptitude held them back, while Nash covered for all of Mike's inability.

If not for Nash D'Antoni would have been a guy with a brief two year coaching career with a winning percentage below .400.

Garbage

 

[JustWinBaby]

And thanks, Jerry, for selling to 'Bob'.

I doubt Jerry could have predicted that Sarver would be this bad. Jerry also made his mistakes along the way as well but he virtually always put a respectable product on the court. We have slid backwards since Sarver bought the team. He does not deserve credit for the first year of ownership that was Jerry and Bryan's team and coaching staff.

Everyone on this board continues to beat up D'Antoni for just about everything including the National debt. I just don't get it. All he did was coach. Sarver has run this team in the ground, certainly not MDA.

What exactly has Sarver done to make this franchise any better after Jerry more than helped him to sign Nash?

I know of no other player of any consequence that Sarver has acquired via a trade, the draft or as a free agent since that signing.

We are a train wreck and he continues to employ Lon Babby after basically running MDA, Kerr and Gentry out of town.

He quite frankly has to be considered one of the worst if not the worst owner in sports.

Tell me something good about him.

 

[slinslin]

Tell me something good about him.

Getting rid off Pringles and Bryan Colangelo.

 

[Covert Rain]

Getting rid off Pringles and Bryan Colangelo.

If those were the only two things you could count I would say 1 out of the two you posted isn't bad. However, we all know you are missing a ton of stuff that would count against Sarver that isn't being mentioned by you.

I think once an owner has hit the 10+ year mark of owning a team, judging him is fair game. Despite his recent contrition and trying to go in another direction (I give him credit for that), when you hit that mark? Nobody gets that kind of time and a pass. Not players, not coaches and definitely not the average Joe.

Sarver has been a terrible owner who really hasn't "moved the needle" one bit as a result of his own players, his own draft, his own coach and general management of the team. The jury is still out on this group of players....sort of. I mean if we can't get a Tier 1 player to play along side these guys? If a couple players we really need to develop don't? We will look back in another 10 and this group and say ....."eh".

 

[Cheesebeef]

Garbage

agree... just like his record without Nash everywhere else in his career. GARBAGE. Never won a playoff game without Nash. Has gone 1-12 in his last three playoffs series. Again... just like you said...

GARBAGE

 

[Phrazbit]

agree... just like his record without Nash everywhere else in his career. GARBAGE. Never won a playoff game without Nash. Has gone 1-12 in his last three playoffs series. Again... just like you said...

GARBAGE

But those teams only had like... 2 or 3 all-stars. Whats he supposed to do?

 

[Mainstreet]

If one were to entertain the idea that Tom Thibodeau would consider coaching the Suns, there is a another reason why he likely would not be hired... money. I can't see Sarver investing huge dollars in a head coach. This is a huge stumbling block to improvement.

IMO, investing money in a head coach and more scouting is the way to go.

 

[overseascardfan]

If one were to entertain the idea that Tom Thibodeau would consider coaching the Suns, there is a another reason why he likely would not be hired... money. I can't see Sarver investing huge dollars in a head coach. This is a huge stumbling block to improvement.

IMO, investing money in a head coach and more scouting is the way to go.

Spot on, PHX has to draft better and they need leadership at the top. Thibs wouldn't tolerate this teams lack of discipline and lack of defense. You can get players but if they aren't willing to follow a coach then there are going to be problems....38 win season problems.

 

[PDXChris]

It's offical, Freddy is the Bulls coach, so Iowa State is now free to go after Jeffrey and then open up Phoenix for Tommy.

How crazy would that be?

 

[JS22]

It's offical, Freddy is the Bulls coach, so Iowa State is now free to go after Jeffrey and then open up Phoenix for Tommy.

How crazy would that be?

Won't happen. Why would he want to come here?

Better hope the Suns keep Hornacek because, if not, Longabardi is your new coach. Bank on it. Although I can see how some would look at that as an upgrade. But there's no way a proven guy comes here.

 

[Phrazbit]

The Bulls of the last few years were good and overachieved frequently in the regular season but then seriously underachieved in the playoffs. I think Thib's biggest strength is also his biggest weakness. His teams play a more regimented style than any in the league, come the playoffs Thib's habit of calling every single offensive play (literally) ends up working against them. What in the regular season translates into out executing teams that don't have the same intensity, instead in the playoff comes off as overly formulaic and predictable.

Unless Thib's were willing to loosen the reigns of his team's offense (and all indications are he is very stubborn on that front) then I think he would struggle in the West... unless he took over a team with a lot of gifted offensive players, which we clearly aren't.

The guy is a good coach, but I think we'd be trading one set of warts for another. And anyone who advocates blowing things up if the season is going south would end up despising him. Thib's coaching style pretty much precludes tanking.

 

[Errntknght]

There's probably considerable truth in what you say, Phraz, and Catlover posted a similar view of Thibs in comparing him to D'Antoni - a mirror image of D'Antoni with defense swapped for offense, to be more accurate. The same level of intransigence in retaining complete control of the team and running his top players into the ground, for example.

I'm hoping Thibs would soften up some in that regard but I'd be willing to turn the team over to him, because it would just be such a treat to see the Suns playing top notch defense for once - I've been watching them since their inception, always hoping I'd see that. I'd rather see them win a championship but I'd settle for really good D.

You probably guessed the rest of the truth which is that I have no hope for Hornacek changing course. A 'two PG' offense like he was part of is one thing - not that it got the Jazz to the top of the heap even with two all-NBA players - but settling for two combo guards who are turnover prone is not at all close to his model. On top of that he couldn't get the key players on the team to buy into his plan last year so why would he try it again with a very similar set of players?

In the normal course of events McD would just about be forced to continue with Hornacek but the combination of Thibs being available and the HC job at Jeff's alma mater being open its a chance to make a change without anyone losing face. It could turn out well for all concerned.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Suns tweaked their coaching staff now knowing it would either be Hornacek or Longabardi coaching the team. It's the only way these changes make sense.

 

[Errntknght]

I think the Suns tweaked their coaching staff now knowing it would either be Hornacek or Longabardi coaching the team. It's the only way these changes make sense.

I interpreted the coaching staff tweak that way as well but that shouldn't deter them from seizing an opportunity that presents itself. Thibs and his relationship with McD is probably the key. I read something about them having a good relationship when they were both with the Celts but nothing truly definitive. Our roster will certainly be a challenge but maybe he likes Len's potential as a defender - he's shown some good stuff and pretty much all of us noted the D dropped off when he wasn't on the floor.

Of course, there could be other sticking points - maybe ISU has their eye on someone else or maybe Jeff prefers to coach in the NBA. Or maybe Sarver doesn't want to pay for an established coach. With this many moving parts and such a short window I think its unlikely to happen but until the window closes I'll continue to hope.

 

[SweetD]

I can see Jeff taking the College opportunity at his old school and Thibs working for McD. The Suns have been trying to implement Thibs D in AZ for a few years.

I am up for the change and hope they go after Butler.

 

[Mainstreet]

I interpreted the coaching staff tweak that way as well but that shouldn't deter them from seizing an opportunity that presents itself. Thibs and his relationship with McD is probably the key. I read something about them having a good relationship when they were both with the Celts but nothing truly definitive. Our roster will certainly be a challenge but maybe he likes Len's potential as a defender - he's shown some good stuff and pretty much all of us noted the D dropped off when he wasn't on the floor.

Of course, there could be other sticking points - maybe ISU has their eye on someone else or maybe Jeff prefers to coach in the NBA. Or maybe Sarver doesn't want to pay for an established coach. With this many moving parts and such a short window I think its unlikely to happen but until the window closes I'll continue to hope.

This was my first thought.

I'm open to the Suns looking at Tom Thibodeau if Hornacek should leave. I must say, it would be interesting to see the Suns focus on defense. However, I want the Suns to play better defense but not to the exclusion of a running style.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can see Jeff taking the College opportunity at his old school and Thibs working for McD. The Suns have been trying to implement Thibs D in AZ for a few years.

I am up for the change and hope they go after Butler.

But would Jimmy Butler want to follow Tom Thibodeau?

 

[PDXChris]

Dup post.

 

[PDXChris]

But would Jimmy Butler want to follow Tom Thibodeau?

That is a great question. Thibs did not give Butler a chance until forced to with Deng getting hurt and then running him into the ground the last two seasons chase chunks of games to be missed. Plus, he would have to wait a year anyways, he is a RFA and the Bulls will match any offer so ce they are already planning on offering the max.

 

[Mainstreet]

That is a great question. Thibs did not give Butler a chance until forced to with Deng getting hurt and then running him into the ground the last two seasons chase chunks of games to be missed. Plus, he would have to wait a year anyways, he is a RFA and the Bulls will match any offer so ce they are already planning on offering the max.

Could Butler have been one of the reported players unhappy with Thibodeau? It's hard to say.

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/ar...ons-with-fred-hoiberg-hired-as-head-coach.htm

 

[chickenhead]

The guy is a good coach, but I think we'd be trading one set of warts for another. And anyone who advocates blowing things up if the season is going south would end up despising him. Thib's coaching style pretty much precludes tanking.

Agree, although honestly I think the Suns might end up tanking in year 1 anyway. I'm not sure they have the personnel to do otherwise. But who knows? Maybe Thibs would get total buy-in from Bledsoe, an attitude adjustment from the Morris twins, and significant development from Len. (But someone would have to find a way to keep Len from being run into the ground.)

 

[PDXChris]

Could Butler have been one of the reported players unhappy with Thibodeau? It's hard to say.

http://www.sportsworldreport.com/ar...ons-with-fred-hoiberg-hired-as-head-coach.htm

Really is hard to say. I know if it were Noah, we would know, but Butler seems to stay quiet all the time. He is the only player right now they would not want to make angry, so I would hope he would be on board with this.