Legler: Collins to become Bulls GM?

Legler said that the Bulls coaching search is taking so long because of a strong rumor that Paxson will step down as GM, and Collins would be hired as the GM of the team.

put that together with this:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's been a real mess in Chicago since the season ended. We've seen top coaches like Avery Johnson, Mike D'Antoni, and Rick Carlisle blow through without signing, and now it seems Doug Collins might suffer the same fate.

Or will he?

Jerry Reinsdorf wanted Collins, and basically told GM John Paxson that he should go hire him. Paxson, though, told his boss that he wasn't going to be strong-armed into making a decision and would interview other people instead. This came just hours after Collins called his would-be players and told them he was taking over as coach.

So the question becomes: will the Bulls be shopping for a new GM before the draft? It seems likely that if Paxson and Reinsdorf can't get on the same page, the latter will choose to replace his uncooperative employee in favor of someone who can get things done</div>

http://www.blogabull.com/2008/6/3/545184/paxson-vs-reinsdorf

and

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Now that Kevin White is moving on to Duke, the big question amongst Domers is who will replace him as Notre Dame's athletic director.

University President Father John Jenkins said in a statement Saturday that there is no timetable for a successor to be named and that a thorough search will be made.

In the meantime, Missy Conboy, will serve as the school's interim Athletic Director.

The AD position at Notre Dame is one of the most powerful in the country. When the 11 conference commissioners meet to discuss the Bowl Championship Series, the 12th person at the table is the Notre Dame athletic director.

Here are some of the potential candidates who have ties to Notre Dame.

John Paxson
The former Irish basketball player is not being mentioned by many, but would make for an interesting candidate. Paxson knows a lot about winning, clinching a NBA title for the Bulls with a game-winning shot. He also knows about running in a big-time program, currently serving as the General Manager of the Bulls. Pax does not have any college experience, however. He also does not have experience with football.</div>

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/19447559.html

I would be severely disappointed if Paxson stepped down. I would like to stay course with his plan, resigning Gordon/Deng (which Paxson would do), and probably draft Beasley.

It seems Paxson is getting pissed off at Reindsorf. He forced Paxson to sign Wallace, he stopped the Kobe trade from happening, he stopped the Gasol trade from happening over not wanting to pay lux tax, he probably is pressuring Paxson to take Rose, the hometown kid for the Chicago buzz...not what is the best basketball move, scared Paxson's man, D'Antoni away, and is trying to force Collins on Paxson.

I don't like the idea of having Collins being the head coach, but having him as GM would horrify me even more. I would rather bring back a guy like BJ Armstrong to be GM, give a guy like Jeff Van Gundy the job, or just randomly give the job to Toni Kukoc before Doug Collins.

If this is the direction the franchise is going, fans need to pressure Reindsorf into selling the team.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Jun 4 2008, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Now, I wonder if PJax can be lured from LA if he's offered both the GM and coach position.</div>
No way Denny

 

While I agree with BG7 Lavigne that Reinsdorf is probably more to blame for this mess, I have no problem with Paxson leaving, and think it is probably about time. I'm just not sure if Doug Collins is the right guy to take his place.

 

I'd think it's pretty strange at this point if there's not some sort of disagreement. The Bulls tend to be weird in how they do things to start with, but they're really going over the top this time.

 

So is Doug Collins officially our coach yet? I still can't figure that out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rosenthall @ Jun 5 2008, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So is Doug Collins officially our coach yet? I still can't figure that out.</div>

Nope, last I heard we're still in limbo, although Elston Turner, Chuck Person and Dwayne Casey have all reportedly had interviews since Collins' hiring was imminent

 

Paxson isn't on his way out yet. He cannot be blamed for the way our players played last year. He can be blamed for the Wallace signing, the trading of Chandler, the no trade for Gasol....but we should have been a playoff team last year any way.

I think he still has another couple of years as GM, if he's ever going to get fired....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Vintage @ Jun 5 2008, 07:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Paxson isn't on his way out yet. He cannot be blamed for the way our players played last year. He can be blamed for the Wallace signing, the trading of Chandler, the no trade for Gasol....but we should have been a playoff team last year any way.

I think he still has another couple of years as GM, if he's ever going to get fired....</div>

Well, he can be blamed for several months of enduring Jim Boylan, and the subsequent coaching search is not exactly bringing an air of professionalism and competence to the organization. :|

I agree though, it doesn't seem likely he'll get canned, although it's sort of hard to interpret his and Reinsdorf's potentially disagreeing roles in the coach search. Outwardly it looks very possible there have been two disagreements. D'Antoni was wanted by Paxson and Reinsdorf got cold feet, and then vice versa with Collins. Just the sense I get. Either way, it doesn't bode well for Reinsdorf's opinion of Pax