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Some might see Bulls coach Jim Boylan as a sympathetic figure.

The guy waited 15 years to become an NBA head coach and now finds his job security tied to a bunch of players who couldn't even stay competitive with the 12-29 Memphis Grizzlies during Monday's 104-90 loss.

At one point in the second half, Boylan complained that Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni was all the way on the court giving instructions to his team.

Referee Tom Washington almost rolled his eyes in response, as if to say, "Shouldn't you be trying to get your guys to play a little harder?"

Well, Boylan is worried about getting the Bulls to deliver a more consistent effort, and his message Tuesday was that he's ready for whatever challenges this job presents.

"I'm honored to be coaching in the NBA," Boylan said at the Berto Center. "I love my job and I'm not afraid of the difficulties or controversies that go with it. I'm enjoying it.

"Anytime I don't enjoy it, I just kind of take a deep breath and say, 'This is a dream job for me. I'm just going to have fun with it and work as hard as I can, do the best I can.' "

These days, all the encouragement Boylan needs is a glance at the Eastern Conference standings. For all their disappointing play, the Bulls are just 2 games behind No. 8 seed Indiana and host the Pacers tonight at the United Center.

"One thing you always want to try to have is hope, and there's certainly hope," Boylan said. "The East is not running away from anyone.

"We're going to do whatever we can to get ourselves back into the thick of it. If not this week, then next week. If not next week, then the week after that. We're just going to keep fighting, and no one's going to stop us from doing that."

At one point in the second half, Boylan complained that Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni was all the way on the court giving instructions to his team.

Referee Tom Washington almost rolled his eyes in response, as if to say, "Shouldn't you be trying to get your guys to play a little harder?"

TB#1 wrote:

At one point in the second half, Boylan complained that Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni was all the way on the court giving instructions to his team.

Referee Tom Washington almost rolled his eyes in response, as if to say, "Shouldn't you be trying to get your guys to play a little harder?"

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Some might see Bulls coach Jim Boylan as a sympathetic figure.

The guy waited 15 years to become an NBA head coach and now finds his job security tied to a bunch of players who couldn't even stay competitive with the 12-29 Memphis Grizzlies during Monday's 104-90 loss.