Bulls Deny Knicks’ Request to Interview Billy Donovan

[WindyCityBorn]

I would trade Billy for a draft pick?

Knicks don’t have any draft picks.

They have 2nds they could move. IIRC, when Jason Kidd got traded (as a coach), it was for 2 2nds.

I’d rather keep Donovan.

[Michael Jackson]

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That was pretty good.

[DuckIII]

Knicks don’t have any draft picks.

They have 2nds they could move. IIRC, when Jason Kidd got traded (as a coach), it was for 2 2nds.

I’d rather keep Donovan.

Me too. If there was a way to get a first I would be fine with it, but otherwise keep BD. He is fine. Improve our roster and create something that will make sense, and he will win with it. For all the bitching about BD, the Bulls have over achieved pretty consistently while he’s been here.

It’s the FO, the FO, the FO and nothing but the FO.

[jnrjr79]

Do teams actually ask for permission to just talk to coaches under contract ? You would think that if the Knicks formally asked for permission then most likely there’s already a mutual agreement in place between Donovan/Knicks but have to figure it out with the Bulls to make it happen since he’s still under contract.

Apparently Knicks might revisit Billy and Kidd. There’s still some hope but most likely Billy will be back, Bulls are in love with this guy so much for some reason even if he went 0-82 he would still keep his job. It’s always everyone else’s fault never his.

They don't have to have any agreement with the coach, because the coach gets traded in this scenario. They *would* most likely work out trade terms with the Bulls prior to actually interviewing the coach, though.

[WindyCityBorn]

It’s actually kinda refreshing that our front office isn’t using Donovan as a scapegoat for our predicament. That usually the first thing a GM does.

[meekrab]

Do teams actually ask for permission to just talk to coaches under contract ? You would think that if the Knicks formally asked for permission then most likely there’s already a mutual agreement in place between Donovan/Knicks but have to figure it out with the Bulls to make it happen since he’s still under contract.

Apparently Knicks might revisit Billy and Kidd. There’s still some hope but most likely Billy will be back, Bulls are in love with this guy so much for some reason even if he went 0-82 he would still keep his job. It’s always everyone else’s fault never his.

Coaches don't have a CBA with the league so there's no tampering or whatever considerations, but I mean the coach is under a contract, the Knicks can think they have all the arrangements they want with a guy, if the other franchise won't let him out of his deal the Knicks look even worse for having snuck around behind their back instead of just saying "hey can we talk to your guy, coaching the New York Knicks is a big deal."

Also the Knicks have been going around the league like a beggar asking everyone if they can interview their coach, they clearly don't have mutual agreements with half the league.

[Chi town]

They have 2nds they could move. IIRC, when Jason Kidd got traded (as a coach), it was for 2 2nds.

I’d rather keep Donovan.

Me too. If there was a way to get a first I would be fine with it, but otherwise keep BD. He is fine. Improve our roster and create something that will make sense, and he will win with it. For all the bitching about BD, the Bulls have over achieved pretty consistently while he’s been here.

It’s the FO, the FO, the FO and nothing but the FO.

How much does Billy have to do with the player picks, signings and trades? Did he want Buz? Lavine gone for Huerter Collins and Jones?

I’ve always wondered this. Billy wants to win and I believe he knows how but obviously needs the players. He certainly had this group playing his new way.

[DuckIII]

I’d rather keep Donovan.

Me too. If there was a way to get a first I would be fine with it, but otherwise keep BD. He is fine. Improve our roster and create something that will make sense, and he will win with it. For all the bitching about BD, the Bulls have over achieved pretty consistently while he’s been here.

It’s the FO, the FO, the FO and nothing but the FO.

How much does Billy have to do with the player picks, signings and trades? Did he want Buz? Lavine gone for Huerter Collins and Jones?

I’ve always wondered this. Billy wants to win and I believe he knows how but obviously needs the players. He certainly had this group playing his new way.

I have no idea. There has never been a single report to my knowledge about Billy having input on any personnel decision ever in Chicago. For all I know he has zero input, calls in the picks himself and AK does what he’s told, or any point in between the two.

I just know he’s made mediocre chicken salad out of chicken dung for years. And that’s a good enough reason to keep him.

There is a significantly stronger argument that BD is a plus quality coach who has improved the win total of a team with an old and severely flawed core than there is that he has held the Bulls back during his tenure.

My read on the situation is that the few posters who really despise BD do so based on how he coached a specific player they either love or hate, not the complete picture. I’ve never read a broad analysis for why should be looking for a new coach, and don’t expect to ever read one that makes sense. At least not based on what he has done so far.

[Red Larrivee]

I have no idea. There has never been a single report to my knowledge about Billy having input on any personnel decision ever in Chicago. For all I know he has zero input, calls in the picks himself and AK does what he’s told, or any point in between the two.

I just know he’s made mediocre chicken salad out of chicken dung for years. And that’s a good enough reason to keep him.

There is a significantly stronger argument that BD is a plus quality coach who has improved the win total of a team with an old and severely flawed core than there is that he has held the Bulls back during his tenure.

My read on the situation is that the few posters who really despise BD do so based on how he coached a specific player they either love or hate, not the complete picture. I’ve never read a broad analysis for why should be looking for a new coach, and don’t expect to ever read one that makes sense. At least not based on what he has done so far.

Yeah, I just don't see what we gain from letting Donovan go. Some throwaway 2nd round picks aren't really interesting enough.

He's not untouchable by any means, but:

- Players are still buying in
- Front office likes him
- Ownership likes him
- He's overachieved Vegas win totals by 15.5 in Chicago on top of it.

The above usually keeps a coach employed 9/10.

[prolific passer]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

[meekrab]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

I don't get why teams keep firing Thibs after he gives them the best results they've had in decades.

[prolific passer]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

I don't get why teams keep firing Thibs after he gives them the best results they've had in decades.

The derrick Rose injury haunts him but Rose still did play for him in Minnesota and I think the Knicks so if Rose doesn't hold a grudge against him then others shouldn't either.

[kodo]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

I don't get why teams keep firing Thibs after he gives them the best results they've had in decades.

Vincent Goodwill, pretty solid source, reported
“A couple of players felt like Thibodeau played the starters too many minutes and felt he had an inability to adjust, sources said, and another player said he didn’t feel like he could play for Thibodeau if the coach returned next season.”

A lot of Knicks fans believe the unnamed player is Mikal Bridges, who is expiring and UFA next season and the Knicks paid 5 first round picks + 2nd rounders. If he walks in FA that's a total asset collapse for NY.

[WindyCityBorn]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

Obviously the Knicks don’t think so.

[sco]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

I don't get why teams keep firing Thibs after he gives them the best results they've had in decades.

Vincent Goodwill, pretty solid source, reported
“A couple of players felt like Thibodeau played the starters too many minutes and felt he had an inability to adjust, sources said, and another player said he didn’t feel like he could play for Thibodeau if the coach returned next season.”

A lot of Knicks fans believe the unnamed player is Mikal Bridges, who is expiring and UFA next season and the Knicks paid 5 first round picks + 2nd rounders. If he walks in FA that's a total asset collapse for NY.

I agree that Thibs is a great coach to take a team to moderate playoff success, but probably not a championship. I tend to agree that Thibs overplays his starters, and that this season the Knicks got extra lucky that their starters remained largely healthy (coupled with the Celt's injuries). The FO is out of dry powder to improve the team, so I think the only change that they could make was changing the coach. I also tend to agree that vets will start ignoring Thibs over time.

I also also also don't think that KD is the right move to help them. I think they aren't deep enough already and short of a deal of KAT for KD straight-up, they are probably worse off.

[prolific passer]

Talk about a dropoff going from Thibs to Billy.

Obviously the Knicks don’t think so.

That's Knicks basketball since Dolan took over

[meekrab]

I don't get why teams keep firing Thibs after he gives them the best results they've had in decades.

Vincent Goodwill, pretty solid source, reported
“A couple of players felt like Thibodeau played the starters too many minutes and felt he had an inability to adjust, sources said, and another player said he didn’t feel like he could play for Thibodeau if the coach returned next season.”

A lot of Knicks fans believe the unnamed player is Mikal Bridges, who is expiring and UFA next season and the Knicks paid 5 first round picks + 2nd rounders. If he walks in FA that's a total asset collapse for NY.

I agree that Thibs is a great coach to take a team to moderate playoff success, but probably not a championship. I tend to agree that Thibs overplays his starters, and that this season the Knicks got extra lucky that their starters remained largely healthy (coupled with the Celt's injuries). The FO is out of dry powder to improve the team, so I think the only change that they could make was changing the coach. I also tend to agree that vets will start ignoring Thibs over time.

I also also also don't think that KD is the right move to help them. I think they aren't deep enough already and short of a deal of KAT for KD straight-up, they are probably worse off.

We know from his time in Chicago Thibs is perfectly willing to play the bench if they're good. The fact your bench is total ass (and particularly, your bench wings, which is why Bridges played 3000 minutes) shouldn't get the best coach you've had in two decades fired, it should be on the GM to make sure that doesn't happen again.

I mean look at this, every one of the non-starter wings performed like a G leaguer



But, tbh, Bridges played 2 minutes a game more than last season, it's not like he wasn't always a high minute guy.

[samwana]

My answer to OP is, I'd be triggered definitely. I just noticed I don't care anymore.

BD is an average coach, he showed that through his whole NBA tenure. Bulls are not interested in being more than average so he fits like a glove. Jerry himself told us average is fine for him. Maybe he would like some more playoff games for the profit, but as long as we don't spend too much it's fine.

Extension talks are crazy, in my opinion he is not worth one at all. A coach that gets out-coached all of his important games should not be extended.

Also put Vuc and Pat on the bench as long as they are on the team.

[Axl Rose]

At this point Knicks should call in Thibs for a meeting and pretend they never fired him

[kodo]

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