Boylen comments
“I loved every minute of working for the Bulls, even the hard ones,” Boylen said in a phone conversation with NBC Sports Chicago. “And I invested myself fully in every aspect of the job.”
“Artūras was very respectful. I understand why he would want to have his own guy. I really enjoyed getting to know him and (general manager) Marc Eversley,” Boylen said. “I’ve got 13- and 15-year-old girls that miss their dad. So I’m going to do a little carpooling and just prepare myself for the next opportunity.”
“Jerry and Michael (Reinsdorf) and (former executive vice president) John (Paxson) asked me to bring more discipline to the practice facility and practice floor,” Boylen said. “My marching orders were for us to practice harder, play harder and defend better.”
“Thanks to Jerry and Michael for their support and for giving me the opportunity to be a Bull. My relationship with them is something I will cherish forever,” Boylen said. “I want to thank my hard-working and loyal staff. They have been a rock for this organization. I want to thank John, (former general manager) Gar (Forman) and Fred for bringing me here to coach and teach.
“John became a mentor and a friend. Our shared goal was to establish a style of play and system at both ends. I feel we were moving forward. We were improving.”
“People could turn that around and say, ‘You should’ve won more of them,’” said Boylen, who only had Otto Porter Jr. at his disposal for 29 of his 123 games at the helm. “With a young team and injuries, that doesn’t always happen. But we competed.”
“I also want to thank the players,” Boylen said. “We practiced hard. We competed. We fought through some tough losses.”“That’s the only reason we do this, man,” Boylen said, emotion present in his voice.
“I wanted Coby to improve his defense to become a starter. He did that. I think the way we handled him was right,” Boylen said. “He would’ve started the last 17 games. And Wendell was back. Those two guys in the pick-and-roll was something I was looking forward to coaching.”
“I don’t worry about people who haven’t coached critiquing me,” he said. “I don’t try to be a doctor.”
“I had great relationships in the facility, both front office and business side,” Boylen said. “I tried to treat everybody well and with respect. I tried to raise people up and support everybody. I’m just thankful, man.”
https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/jim-boylen-speaks-first-time-after-bulls-firing-im-just-thankful
