The Chicago Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau and the New Orleans Hornets’ Monty Williams today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January. Thibodeau led the Bulls to a 12-4 record on the month, including a 90-79 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics on Jan. 8. The Bulls have gone 11-0 against Central Division opponents, and are the only team in the NBA without a division loss. Chicago’s 44.5 rebounds per game rank second in the NBA, and its 92.0 points allowed per game rank third. Williams guided the Hornets to a 12-4 mark in January, including a franchise-record 10-game winning streak. New Orleans averaged 7.0 steals last month, and lead the NBA in second chance points allowed (9.71). The Hornets held 9 of 16 opponents under 90 points last month, including the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs in a 75-71 victory on Jan. 22. Read more: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/thibodeau_com_110201.html
I think most of us supported Thibs from the first breath of rumors that the Celtics Ass't was looking to move on. Still, I believe (understandingly so) that the fanbase had a bit of "once bitten, twice shy" attitude towards another unproven Bulls head coach not named Phil Jackson. I think he's lived up to the hype in a major way and will be a key factor in leading a (hopefully soon) healthy Bulls roster down the stretch and at least make a round 2 dent in the playoffs. Hopefully further, but I'll keep my optimism in check until I see this team with all cards on the table.
I don't know anyone on this board who didn't like the Thibs selection. It's rather fucked up that we could have / should have had him when Vinnie was hired. He was in the mix at that time.
I wasn't around these here parts at the time but from my experience with other boards there was a significant minority who weren't necessarily enthusiastic about throwing a hat into the ring, mostly based on the fact they'd seen us burned before. Take me to your leader. Do. Not. Want! There's a new sheriff in town...
Well deserved. He's instilled a strong team defense mentality on this team and has managed to get nearly everyone to buy into it in a way to make it effective. More importantly, he knows who to ride hard and who to lay back on. This guy is different than Skiles but the end result is what we want. Hard play and strong defense as a team. But there is room on the team for Carlos Boozer, who isn't ever going to be that 110% defense effort guy. Thibs looks like an effective NBA coach to me and seems intent in getting the most out of his players while breeding a culture of NBA success.
Since they don't name a team-of-the-month, this will work. Thibs has exceeded my expectations. He's shown some stones in benching vets who decide to depart from his script.
Thibs doesn't seem to have a dog house like some of our other coaches. He also seems to understand how to treat star players.
Agree on both points, but on the latter, Thibs doesn't just bend over an grab his ankles when dealing with stars like some other HCs.
I agree, transplant. He neither holds grudges against players nor wraps stars in swaddling clothes, anointing them with holy oil. No nonsense coach, meant in the best way possible. He brings out the best in his players, as Skiles did for most of his run but does so, unlike Skiles, without being overbearing and abrasive. I think he is the real deal as a head coach. That is awesome.
