The Chicago Bulls still haven’t made it clear whether they are planning to pursue a new head coach. Jim Boylen remains employed and nobody can say when or even if that will change. Persistent rumors are that VP Arturas Karnisovas is biding his time before making a decision. Belief is he has candidates he likes already lined up. That’s fine and all, but the longer he waits the greater risk he runs of losing those candidates to other teams. Thankfully it seems an old friend in Tom Thibodeau is about to do his former team a solid.
One team that is ahead of everybody else at the moment in the coaching search is the New York Knicks. Expectations are they will make their move relatively soon. Long before the Bulls get going. While they have a list that includes a number of candidates including two rumored favorites of Chicago in Adrian Griffin and Ime Udoka, neither are considered the heavy favorite to land the job.
That honor goes to Thibodeau who according to Adrian Wojnarowski just completed his formal interview with the team. Thibs is no stranger to elevating underachieving teams. He took the Bulls to the next level when he arrived. Then he got the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance in 14 years back in 2017-2018. His disciplined approach might be what the Knicks are missing.
One thing is for sure. Him getting that job would be welcome news for the Bulls.
Tom Thibodeau going to Knicks gives Bulls more time
It’s possible the Bulls are in a holding pattern also because both Griffin and Udoka are coaching on teams set to participate in the 24-team playoff down in Orlando when the league restarts. So their focus is on that and they may not be ready to accept interviews for head coaching spots. This might help explain the lack of action from Karnisovas on Boylen.
That patience is in contrast to the Knicks who appear keen on finding their new guy as quickly as possible. Thibodeau has a good track record and proven experience. He’s also a northeast guy, hailing from Connecticut. So it seems like a natural fit. He’ll probably remind Knicks fans a lot of Pat Riley.
One thing is for sure. If that hire gets made, it will buy the Bulls more time to wait things out. Both Griffin and Udoka are experienced assistants who have served on championship teams. Griffin in Toronto and Udoka in San Antonio. They’ve been groomed for this opportunity and Chicago would be a great place for either.