<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Bulls general manager John Paxson is serious about establishing a link to the team's dynasty days, and his free-agent pursuit of Scottie Pippen isn't the only proof. In an intriguing development, Paxson had recent discussions with Doug Collins about the vacant assistant-coaching position before hiring Johnny Bach. Bach's hiring will be announced officially Tuesday, at which time first-round draft pick Kirk Hinrich will sign his three-year, $7.05 million deal as set by the rookie wage scale. "I'm ecstatic," Bach said. Bach, a defensive specialist, spent eight seasons with the Bulls as an assistant to Collins and Phil Jackson and formed strong relationships with Paxson, coach Bill Cartwright and special assistant B.J. Armstrong. He was fired in 1994, a move that drew criticism from players. Bach is a Navy veteran whose colorful wardrobe and anecdotes were highlights of the Bulls' first three-peat team. More important were his defensive schemes, which included a withering full-court press and plenty of war analogies in its preparation. Bach, 77, has 51 years of coaching experience and 24 in the NBA. He spent the last two seasons as Collins' assistant in Washington. The Wizards fired Collins on May 30 and still owe him close to $10 million. Collins, who went 137-109 in three seasons in Chicago, is regarded as one of the best analysts in broadcasting and has said he wanted to spend more time with his family. But that didn't stop Paxson and Collins from talking. Cartwright was believed to be uncomfortable with the idea of having such an experienced NBA head coach as his assistant. "It was just an intriguing opportunity because of Doug's great mind," Paxson said. "I wanted to see where he was. But ultimately, it's a staff that Bill has to be comfortable with. It's his call on that." Bach takes over for Bill Berry, whose contract wasn't renewed. With assistant Pete Myers' move back to scouting imminent, Paxson is expected to hire another assistant. Milwaukee's Ron Adams is the leading candidate, ahead of interviewees Brian James, Jim Stack and Terry Stotts. Whether Bach's hiring has any effect on Pippen's decision remains to be seen. But Paxson knows it can't hurt in his entreaties to Pippen and possibly Horace Grant, one of Bach's favorite players. Free agents can sign contracts beginning Wednesday. The Bulls have made it clear to Pippen that their entire midlevel salary-cap exception of about $4.6 million is his if he spurns interest from Dallas and other teams. "The ball's in Pip's court," Paxson said. "There will come a day when we need a firm response from him. But I do feel he's earned the right to give it as much thought as he needs." The Bulls are confident that Pippen won't drag out the process unnecessarily to see if he receives an offer from Portland, which can pay him more than the Bulls but whose management team is in transition. The Bulls want to make sure they don't lose out on Ira Newble if Pippen goes elsewhere. Newble is the first choice of some in management and is drawing interest from several teams. The Bulls began mini-camp at the Berto Center on Monday with two practice sessions. Hinrich will make his summer-league debut Friday in Utah. "It was nice to get on the floor and get some work done with the coaches," Hinrich said. </div> http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...bulls-headlines haha, we need a "defensive specialist" more than anything
