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So, the Bulls got bounced tonight and there's been much documented disharmony between Tom Thibodeau and the Chicago front office. Cue speculation of a "mutual parting of ways" in five, four, three, two ...

Anyhow, here's my question — I know Thibs would vault to near the top of everyone's coaching wish list if he became available, but how could he do with THIS Pistons team as it currently sits? Say we get boned in the lotto and lose our pick to CHA, can't trade away Smith or Jennings, and match whatever offer Monroe receives. No major changes whatsoever, he inherits the exact same roster which underachieved so epically this season — how much of an improvement could me make on his own? Does he get through to Jennings? Does he reach or else bench Smith (keep in mind, he wasn't afraid to bench Boozer)? We went 29-53 this year with essentially a substitute teacher and then a potted plant as our head coach; how many wins could Thibs get from this roster?

That would be exactly the kind of coach that a Smith or Jennings need. They're antics wouldn't fly with a coach like Thibs.

I don't follow much of the league outside of the pistons. But he seemed to handle a 3 big man rotation fairly well. Which is what the pistons need to do if they keep their big 3. He never had a sg, and his pg was always injured, so he'd be left with a similarly talented backcourt. The difference would be that we have no Deng. Or anyone even in the same atmosphere. I think he could improve the team 5-10 wins. Maybe push for a .500 record. But without a guard or wing that can create, this team is locked down.

That being said. If he becomes available. He should be our absolute top target. I would even go so far as to take Hollins off the table entirely, replace Hollins with Thibs and proceed with the search exactly the same.

Would be a great choice for coach, but Id say there is a 0% chance he leaves the Bulls.

RipCity32 wrote:Would be a great choice for coach, but Id say there is a 0% chance he leaves the Bulls.

Even a chance off 5%, i'll give it a try to pursue him

between Thibs, Vogel, and Hollins who would u hire? I hope we have those options. Id lean towards Thibs but honestly I'd take any of them.

DCintheD wrote:between Thibs, Vogel, and Hollins who would u hire? I hope we have those options. Id lean towards Thibs but honestly I'd take any of them.

I would rank them Thibs, Hollins, then Vogel. Thibs built a culture of hardwork in his team and they seemed to have the resilience to play through any obstacle. Whether they lose a superstar or a their best supporting player the Bulls kept plugging.

Hollins developed Conley and reined in Allen, Z-Bo, and Mayo. Hollins played with a line-up of bigs and created a gritty team that put the smack down on the elites. They lost key contributers in Mayo and Gay. they dropped solid role players in Arther and Speights. Still none of that distracted them. I think the team still wins today because he made the ship so steady.

Vogel took the reins from Jim O'Brien and successfully communicated the message Jim couldn't get through to his team. He seamlessly switched number one options from Granger to George. He inserted Stephenson into a prominent role and...it worked for a minute. I think at some point Lance became a problem for that team and he went unchecked. I think Vogel is good, I'm just not convinced he's good for the Detroit.

On the extreme offchance that Thibodeau becomes available, we would have to give him an offer that stands out, regardless of whether we've got a GM yet or not. Give him 6 or 8 years guaranteed at a Top 5 salary. Honestly, I think you could put Thibs, Carlisle, and Pop in any order in the top 3 and it is justifiable. He would be great for us.

I think we're getting excited. I highly highly doubt Chicago lets Thibs go.

He'd have his pick of open spots, and even come orgs would fire their current coach to hire him if he wanted to coach there ie Houston, Cleveland, OKC, GS, Indiana etc.

We have no shot unless we hired a GM who he was strongly linked to or something. And we're not going to have a GM until June, he'd be long hired before then unless he wanted to be a GM/Coach or something - I guess we'd have a better shot then given our dual openings right now.

I think hollins has the best chance of being our coach next season as he has said he actually wants to come here.

Thibs doesn't worry too much about offense, but he could mold almost any NBA team into a top 10 defense in one off-season.

If Jennings, Smith or Monroe didn't give effort and focus on defense, they wouldn't play. Thibs doesn't care how long you've been in the league, or how much you're getting paid. He will bench you in a heart beat.


I would be shocked if the Bulls let him go. The Bulls were not expected to be legitimate title contenders this year, and many thought they would be a lottery team after the Deng trade and Rose re-injury.

Even if he was fired, I can't imagine Detroit would be his destination of choice. He would probably want a team that was closer to contending, and I beat Indiana would find an opening for him.

DCintheD wrote:between Thibs, Vogel, and Hollins who would u hire? I hope we have those options. Id lean towards Thibs but honestly I'd take any of them.

I'd go pursue Thibs strongly. Talk to Vogel, see why he allowed his Pacers team to unravel. Pass on Hollins.

Memphis let Hollins go, and hasn't missed a beat in his absence. Many insiders gave Dave Joerger credit for Memphis' defense, and they were absolutely right. What does that leave Hollins with to take credit for? Their horrific offense?

ImHeisenberg wrote:

DCintheD wrote:between Thibs, Vogel, and Hollins who would u hire? I hope we have those options. Id lean towards Thibs but honestly I'd take any of them.

I'd go pursue Thibs strongly. Talk to Vogel, see why he allowed his Pacers team to unravel. Pass on Hollins.

Memphis let Hollins go, and hasn't missed a beat in his absence. Many insiders gave Dave Joerger credit for Memphis' defense, and they were absolutely right. What does that leave Hollins with to take credit for? Their horrific offense?

This. In that order should Thibs be on the open market. I really doubt it though, you don't let go a anti-tank and terrific coach that gets maximum out of any players. He made DJ Augustine into a starter, enough said.

And seeing as how Joerger is doing extremely fine in this playoff series against OKC, you're completely right. Hollins also vehemently opposed to trading Gay and he often went hero-ball with Gay a lot when he was there.

i hope Chicago's this stupid and we all of a sudden become competent. This would be the best FA move in the past 5+ years

Blkbrd671 wrote:i hope Chicago's this stupid and we all of a sudden become competent. This would be the best FA move in the past 5+ years

Reinsdorf is amazingly cheap. I doubt they would fire Thibs with multiple years left on his contract, when they know there isn't an upgrade or even an equally talented coach out there.

If we get Thibs, we don't have to worry about anything for the rest of the offseason besides shooters.....this team, with shooters on the squad, is talented enough to be elite. We needed defense and discipline (we played a playground park team this season), Thibs offer just that. Drummond will become a defensive anchor with him, Monroe will flourish into a Carlos Boozer type player, while Smith could turn into an around player that will focus more on passing the ball

ImHeisenberg wrote:

Blkbrd671 wrote:i hope Chicago's this stupid and we all of a sudden become competent. This would be the best FA move in the past 5+ years

Reinsdorf is amazingly cheap. I doubt they would fire Thibs with multiple years left on his contract, when they know there isn't an upgrade or even an equally talented coach out there.

Reality sucks.

wallacex2jc wrote:If we get Thibs, we don't have to worry about anything for the rest of the offseason besides shooters.....this team, with shooters on the squad, is talented enough to be elite. We needed defense and discipline (we played a playground park team this season), Thibs offer just that. Drummond will become a defensive anchor with him, Monroe will flourish into a Carlos Boozer type player, while Smith could turn into an around player that will focus more on passing the ball

Flourish into a Boozer type player? That makes me shudder. If that's what he's headed for, I'd say let him walk this off-season.

Monroe should be a 16-9-4 player for the rest of his career. i'll take that from a PF/C any day of the week.

just thought I'd throw that out there.

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