I understand (but don't share) the feeling of loss, but really, it's time for us to move on. We still have a talented group of players. All told, Fred does have some coaching chops to offer. And the East is weaker than the west. Plenty to be realistically enthused about. Let's go Bulls.
It very much remains to be seen if the Bulls are title contenders anymore. Thibs got everything out of the team that it had to offer, and it was never enough to best Lebron. Now the horses are getting older and the team is rudderless. GarPax have shown themselves to be the embarrassments they are on a national level. They of course deserve the skewering they received. Rose isn't a superstar. Noah is fading fast. Gasol can't hang on forever. Is McDermott any good? Mirotic has some skills, but is he a NBA difference maker? Can Rose play at an all-star level at least consistently anymore? Is Butler a guy that can self-motivate or will he let his MAX contract go to his head? Does Hoiball work or matter in the NBA? Can Hoiberg manage the locker room? We all know Paxson is content to be .500ish and make the 1st round of the playoffs (keep his job). That's what the Bulls have been under Paxson without Thibs. The Bulls were 11th in offensive efficiency last season. Perhaps that increases with a more offensive coach. What about the defense though? The goal is to win the NBA title. You need a great defense for that usually. The Warriors get mentioned a lot. Steve Kerr. Great offense, but a defense that is all-NBA as well, led by GarPax enemy Ron Adams. The finals this year have two rookie NBA coaches squaring off. More importantly, its a showdown between the reigning MVP and the best player in the league. That's what really matters in the NBA, the talent. If you don't have the talent, you don't get the ring. Let's hope Hoiberg isn't an embarrassment. He might be good. He also might totally suck. One thing is for certain. The Bulls organization looked like a bunch of petty, near incompetent thugs in the way they treated Thibs on the way out, and the way they actively undermined and smeared the head coach during a season where making the finals was a real possibility. Shows you what GarPax find most important. Its not winning. A black eye that won't be forgotten by many Bulls fans and the rest of the NBA anytime soon.
I like NBA basketball and always will. I'd like to hear the argument that the Bulls are more likely to win the NBA championship then they were this year. And its frustrating to see one of the better chances to make the Finals at least spoiled by GarPax's smearing and undermining of the head coach during a very important season. Convince me the Bulls have a great shot to win the title next year with Hoiberg leading the charge.
Ha. Yah, I didn't think you could make one. Hard to see the Bulls getting the talent needed to make a run unless they blow it up again or get lucky somehow. Perhaps Rose wants another huge contract and performs / Butler takes another step up / Mirotic takes a big step up / McDermott is actually good / Hoiball works. We'll see. Sad to see the Bulls so close and have the front office playing dark games instead of trying to win championships. A sad chapter in the Bulls history.
They have a great shot to have a successful season and make it into the ECF. Beyond that is sketchy, because so many things have to fall your way.
