Avery Johnson was on the ESPN 1000 earlier today, with Waddle and Silvy. Avery Recap: -Called by John Paxson, talked about having an interview. -Interview postponed for a later time, still going to interview, and in contact with John Paxson constantly. -Really interested in the job. Was going to take the year off because he isn't interested in the Suns job (poor fit), and it seemed like the Bulls had their man with D'Antoni. -Our team reminds him of San Antoni when they got Tim Duncan after the craptastic season. Thinks the Bulls are a lot further ahead than people think they are and what they showed. Tweaks will be made to the roster (Kirk/Hughes probably). Thinks point guard is the key, would take Derrick Rose. -Would like to be hired before the draft. But doesn't think it is as important because Bulls are picking #1, and not #9, where they would need a head coach to look at a bunch of different prospects. -Thinks Mark Cuban is the best candidate for the Cubs ownership. -Thinks the Bulls are looking for a marriage, where they connect perfectly. -Is going to talk to Paxson today. Reindsorf Recap: -The papers have been completely inaccurate about who the Bulls leading head coaching candidates have been. -Didn't make an offer to D'Antoni because they didn't decide that he was their guy. Second Reindsorf interview never happened, and was not to give him a contract offer. Liked him, and could see giving him an offer, but didn't know if he was their guy. -Major reservations of whether D'Antoni will have a good enough defense in Chicago. Said D'Antoni was scared because Reinsorf said, "The only way this doesn't work out with you is if the team doesn't play defense like you say they will". -Thinks Avery is a proven coach, but Paxson has to say this is the guy. -Wants Phil Jackson or Gregg Popovich to be the coach. -Rose or Beasley will bet the Bulls pick, no chance of Mayo. His opinion is just getting 1 or 2 is winning. -Would like Doug Collins as an assistant coach. -Seems mad at Memphis for salary dumping Pau Gasol instead of taking the Bulls' players. (Noah and Thomas I think). -Doesn't think D'Antoni is worth what the Knicks paid, but would pay for a coach.
Thanks for the recaps <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Reindsorf Recap: -The papers have been completely inaccurate about who the Bulls leading head coaching candidates have been. -Didn't make an offer to D'Antoni because they didn't decide that he was their guy. Second Reindsorf interview never happened, and was not to give him a contract offer. Liked him, and could see giving him an offer, but didn't know if he was their guy. -Doesn't think D'Antoni is worth what the Knicks paid, but would pay for a coach.</div> Let me translate. JR meant I tried to hardball D'Antoni but that idiot still should have taken my offer. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>-Seems mad at Memphis for salary dumping Pau Gasol instead of taking the Bulls' players. (Noah and Thomas I think).</div> Let me translate. JR meant I tried to hardball Memphis but those idiots still should have taken my offer.
