The Chicago Bulls announced today that Horace Grant has been named Special Advisor to President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf. “Horace is an incredible ambassador for the game of basketball. His ability to engage an audience, whether he is in a boardroom or a community center, will be invaluable to me and everyone at the Bulls as we continuously look for ways to grow our relationships with fans, corporate partners, and civic groups,” said Michael Reinsdorf. “Every time we are together, he always has fantastic stories about his days with the Bulls, but he is also eager to share about his life today with his family and his travels with the NBA. Horace will bring a terrific energy to his role at the Bulls.” “The Chicago Bulls have always had a special place in my heart and it means so much to be part of the family again,” said Horace Grant. “The team has given me memories that will last a lifetime and I am looking forward to creating even more in this new role. Serving as an NBA Goodwill Ambassador for the last six years has provided me with the opportunity to serve as a liaison between the league, fans and players, and I am excited to bring that experience and knowledge to the Bulls.” Read more http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/horace-grant-named-special-advisor-president-coo
I read this and got interested in reading up about Michael Reinsdorf. He's not his father. He's the president of the Bulls. The team has been more willing to pay the LT with Michael in charge. One article I read quoted The Chairman as saying Michael takes Bulls loses a lot harder than he does. In other words, The Chairman is willing to lose to make his profit. Michael wants to win. The same article said Michael went around telling his 75 person staff (including Paxson) that the way his father did things wasn't always right. It's clear from The Chairman taking the time to smear Thibs on his way out that he had a big hand in the whole mess. Here's another article about Michael: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...ed-hoiberg-bulls-spt-1112-20151111-story.html By K.C. Johnson November 11, 2015 "Fred has done a great job," Bulls president and chief operating officer Michael Reinsdorf told the Tribune on Wednesday in a rare interview on the team. "It's a process. I didn't expect we'd come out and win every game. Derrick (Rose) missed all of training camp (and) he's just rounding into shape — he still has vision problems. "I can just tell you this: I talk to the players and they are ecstatic about the atmosphere and structure that is at the Advocate Center and on the court. Fred connects with the players. He connects with everyone he talks to because of his experiences as a player, executive and coach at the college level." Added executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson: "This is a yearlong thing here. We all expect Fred will find the mix that works the best where we win games and build to the playoffs. We have a lot of room to improve, and that's a good thing. We're 5-3 and our guys are playing hard. Fred has the time and full support of ownership and management." ... Reinsdorf's father, Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, released a scathing statement upon the dismissal of Tom Thibodeau, citing a toxic work environment in which Thibodeau made communication with his bosses difficult. Asked how the new relationship is working, Paxson didn't hesitate. "(General manager Gar Forman) and Fred talk every day," Paxson said. "When I'm in the building, I talk to Fred and it's very open. We can express areas of concern, and that is discussed openly and honestly. It's great. "Our dialogue about players has been very frank and open. It's a really good working environment."
Good for Horace. So now MReinsdorf has Scottie, Toni and Horace as Special Advisors. Good. I hope it's more than a ceremonial job and I hope that at least one of the 3 shows the aptitude to take on a role on the basketball operations end.
Some ex-players get to hang out at court side and drink / slap hands with the fans. Sometimes the ex-players get to run the organization for a decade and a half. I prefer the nostalgia acts to go the drinking / slap handing route, unless they have something quite valuable to offer. Nostalgia act coaching / GMing unless they are excellent at their job leads to mediocrity at best. Its nice to see Pip, Toni and now Horace at the UC. They would all be embarrassed to be playing for GarPax's Hoiball this season.
Most people won't turn down an easy paycheck. Its always nice to see Pip sitting courtside or Toni giving out a free pizza slice.
Tonight for instance there was a great shot up on the video board. Pip, hiding in some skybox, head 1/2 concealed by a monitor, sending out some text messages. He looked up and gave a peace sign to the camera. Pip!
