Boylan

[Rerisen]

I think Paxson messed up firing Skiles only to hire Boylan as a interim coach. Not much is changing honestly. It's sort of like chanting for change in the political system and then voting for Hillary Clinton (not a partisan remark at all, but just common sense).

Firing Skiles was a warning to the players, that would normally pronounce that it is time to get serious as a team. But then hiring Skiles right hand man, simply did a 180 on that message and weakened it, essentially turning the entire rest of the season into a evaluation period. More or less, telling the team that they would not be held accountable by this coach because he doesn't have the power or long term backing to hold them accountable. Telling them that it was 'ok' to write off this season and continue kind of muddling along with no direction.

I think there are quality coaches out there that could have been looked at. And rumors were even that several contacted the club. However, if it is one's position that they don't like any of the available coaches, or that a particular target cannot be had to after this season, then Pax should have just gave Skiles longer to turn it around. I think the mounting pressure of him not being fired (especially as the trade deadline were to approach) could have been its own motivator and brought a sense of urgency for this season to be a success. Unless the coach had truly turned his back on the team, which I'm not sure I believe. More likely, Pax and Scott just had a severe personal disagreement or flare up and it was the last straw for Pax on top of the mightily struggling season.

I don't want Skiles back but I also see nothing in any way special about Boylan or his connection to this team. Nor in his ability to get it to return to its out hustle you style success Skiles had. That period is long dead and buried and I don't think will return from this set of players regardless of who is in charge. Ultimately, hiring Boylan has solved nothing though. Since he is a interim coach fighting for next season's head coaching job, his goal is not to develop players or prepare the team for longer term success. His job is to eek out as many meaningless wins as possible to make the team give the illusion of a turn around so he can get hired with a longer contract. Once that happen, then, he will begin to think about a long term direction. But why wait till then? The Bulls need to start evaluating their future now.

[coldfish]

I have always thought that a large percentage of the Bulls issues are their schemes and tactics. Since Boylan is doing the same thing as Skies, you have virtually no difference.

On defense, Boylan lacks Skiles' intensity and you can kind of see it with the players. Overall, I was a big fire Skiles guy, but right now it doesn't look like a great decision.

[NLK]

I'll say this, paralleling this to the Bulls season: its sort of what some of those screwball Bears fans who'd say "the Bears could be 0-14, and so long we beat the packers twice, I'll be happy etc." Well, I guess thats what we've hold Lovie Smith to doing, and I now hold the coach of the Bulls regarding the Knicks. We have to win the series vs. the Knicks. Otherwise, new coach.

Boylan is going to finish out the year, and then get canned. We need a real coach, with a real plan. One that can find time to develop our bigs (with good big men assistants), and yet, know how to use our current vets/core without tiring them out (you might want to keep Pete or Ron Adams around). Larry Brown is definitely not the answer! I don't know who is. There's definitely someone out there.

[JCrossover#1]

We cant ask players to do something they are not used to or something they arent capable off....Boylan at least has started to give the youngsters some more burn, would like to see Thabo a little bit more. But if JoeS plays like this, you cant fault Boylan for trying to play him as much as possible. Wallace for some reason has to get his 35 minutes per game.
You cant expect to hire an assistant coach from the previous regime and expect a 180

[BR0D1E86]

I have always thought that a large percentage of the Bulls issues are their schemes and tactics. Since Boylan is doing the same thing as Skies, you have virtually no difference.

On defense, Boylan lacks Skiles' intensity and you can kind of see it with the players. Overall, I was a big fire Skiles guy, but right now it doesn't look like a great decision.

There are only two differences since Boylan took over:

1. The players are playing a bit harder, they had quit on Skiles.

2. He's had massive injury at the SF position so he's experimented with Tyrus there, further proving the point that he's a PF.

He's still running the same plays, still running Ben Wallace out there in the final 3 minutes of a close game, still insisting on running 3/4 plays in that situation as a pick and roll with Wallace...

In other words the schemes are still designed to fail. What I wouldn't give for a real coach.

[DuckIII]

Last night's game was the first time I've really taken issue with Boylan as a coach. The players certainly did their fair share to give the game away, but Boylan blew it. His use of Duhon, Thomas, Nocioni and Wallace (plus the non-use of Noah and Gray) in the second half was absolutely nonsensical.

[NLK]

His use of Duhon, Thomas, Nocioni and Wallace (plus the non-use of Noah and Gray) in the second half was absolutely nonsensical.

I agree. We looked better at putting pressure on the opposition when we go to our young bigs. If Boylan doesn't believe in them soon (esp. when it matters the most), chalk this up as a lost season. Rest the VETS now and hope the Bigs give something to help the VETS close out the games. Who cares if the games are close, W's are what matter. The Vets will carry the load in the playoffs.