During Friday's Chicago Bulls-Dallas Mavericks telecast, Jeff Van Gundy accused Bulls management of trying to undermine Tom Thibodeau by leaking disparaging stories, saying the practice dates to Phil Jackson's tenure as well as Scott Skiles' and Vinny Del Negro's.
"Tom Thibodeau isn't being undermined at all," John Paxson said. "What's being undermined is the entire Bulls organization by Van Gundy, who has an agenda against our organization for whatever reason and has for years. I guess he thinks he's trying to protect his friend, but he's doing just the opposite. It's pretty pathetic when you think about it, and truth be told he owes Jerry Reinsdorf an apology for his disparaging remarks."
Van Gundy declined to address Paxson's remarks and said he stood behind his Friday comments.
Thibodeau said he was aware of Van Gundy's comments but had not heard them.
"I'm fine," Thibodeau said. "I don't get wrapped up in that stuff. That's (Van Gundy's) opinion. He's paid to give opinions. He has to do his job. I try to do my job. I'm just trying to work here. ... My job is to coach the team. That's what I worry about. (Van Gundy) doesn't speak for me. I don't speak for him."
