The House that Thibs Built- a must read for anyone clamoring for Thibs

[Kumar]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/th...t-thibs-built/

But times change. The NBA changes. Thibodeau doesn’t. He’s known for never resting his star players. When we had Luol Deng, Thibs played him nearly 48 minutes a game. Deng never complained, just balled. Sadly, he also aged quickly.

The wear and tear on players is brutal. But Thibs didn’t seem to care. When asked about his nagging plantar fasciitis and possibly resting it more, Joakim Noah joked, “We’ve got a great coach. But he doesn’t understand the whole rest thing yet, I don’t think. But it’s all good. We all want to win.” Thibs believes that the best players should be on the court, and that the game is never over.

This brings us to Derrick Rose, back to the 2012 playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. This should’ve been easy for us. We were the better team. We were leading Game 1 by 12 points with one minute and 22 seconds remaining. The game was over, to everyone but Thibs. Thibs kept his starters in to finish it off. Derrick Rose, a league MVP, cut into the lane and tore the ACL in his left knee. He has never been the same player since.

I was watching the game in Chicago at my brother’s place with his newborn son. My nephew was trying to sleep, but I was screaming: “Why was he in the game?! Why?” As Derrick’s teammates carried him off the court, all I could say over and over was, “Why the hell was Derrick Rose still in the game? We had it.”

We lost that series. Derrick didn’t play the following season. And Tom Thibodeau didn’t change his style. At all.

The NBA is changing. Thibs is not. He isn't a good fit given the injury history of our players. And he certainly isn't a good fit for our offense. His rotations, minute management, and inflexibility make even Scotty Brooks more appealing.

[UptownFuz504]

I've been saying no to Thibs forever.

[IamQuailman]

Me too.

[Spaniard]

We had the biggest players' coach in the league and we had more injuries than than they did. Scott Brooks also had more injuries than they did. This is such an asinine discussion.

Deng never played more than 40 minutes a game in his career much less 48. Deng aged quickly? At 30 years old he just finished 14th amongst SF's in PER playing 33 minutes a game on a crappy team. His numbers were virtually identical to all of his best seasons.

Pau Gasol played more games than he has in years.

I would like to think if we had Thibs, maybe we wouldn't give up and lose a 20 point lead in a playoff game, much less 12. ACL tears are not from playing too many minutes. It's a freak injury that he could have just as easily done at the following morning shoot around. The timing was unfortunate, but it was not because Thibs is a bad coach. That's just ridiculous.

[UptownFuz504]

When Thibs finds a clue on offense, I may be open to him. Until then, I'll pass. His teams go on major scoring droughts and never come through in the big game. Yeah, yeah I know. Injuries blah blah blah, he made it to the CF that one time blah blah blah. He's losing to the Cavs and most likely going fishing tonight when he bar none has the best team in the series. Wake me up when he gets out of the 2nd round for a change.

[4Real]

Yeah I think I rather someone like Kenny Atkinson

[Kumar]

We had the biggest players' coach in the league and we had more injuries than than they did. Scott Brooks also had more injuries than they did. This is such an asinine discussion.

Not sure what being a player's coach has anything to do with it. Everyone knew Monty's practices were grueling. The point in this article is that Thibs doesn't change. You can take a long look at their players and see how broken down they are. Noah, Butler, Deng before etc etc. He runs them to the ground to the point of diminishing returns. This is not an opinion, its a fact. And its not about blowing 20 point leads -better teams than us have done that, not to mention that guy is gone anyway. His offensive sets are not the most dynamic and are not ones that will maximize the potential of this roster.

[IamQuailman]

When Thibs finds a clue on offense, I may be open to him. Until then, I'll pass. His teams go on major scoring droughts and never come through in the big game. Yeah, yeah I know. Injuries blah blah blah, he made it to the CF that one time blah blah blah. He's losing to the Cavs and most likely going fishing tonight when he bar none has the best team in the series. Wake me up when he gets out of the 2nd round for a change.

This is my biggest knock on him. Granted it's hard to run an offense when the player your offense is built around is injured more often than not.

[NMThreeMVP]

No Thibs. If he can't take a talented team to the Finals in the East, what makes people think he could take the Pelicans to Finals in the West? What about his philosophy and his scheme screams..."THAT'S WHAT THE PELS NEED!!"

[Hornetsfan41]

My biggest problem with him is that the Bulls offense sometimes stops for 5 or 6 minutes. No basket, no ball movement.

That being said, he is a TRUE defensive specialist, we Jrue, Asik, Davis, Cunnighan and Qpon, our D would be spectacular under him...

[IamQuailman]

I think we need Fred Hoidberg. Been saying it all along (well, as long as we fired monty... i wanted monty to stay)

[MichaelMcNamara]

He is not as great as he was made out to be prior to close examination, and he is not as bad as some are making him out to be right now.

He offers more good than bad, but I don't get the fit. Dell just battled for multiple years with a guy who doesn't have the same philosophies he has. Why would he now go out and hire another one if it really is his choice? This might be the one guy he gets to hire, ever. I am sure he will at least want to give it a go with a guy he sees eye to eye with.

[UptownFuz504]

No Thibs. If he can't take a talented team to the Finals in the East, what makes people think he could take the Pelicans to Finals in the West? What about his philosophy and his scheme screams..."THAT'S WHAT THE PELS NEED!!"

Amen. He has the most talented team in the East and won't get out of the 2nd round again. There is no evidence based on what we've seen that says that he'll come to NO and change our fortunes and take us to the big game. Thibs defenders give us excuse after excuse as to why his teams' performance doesn't match his coaching acumen.

[UptownFuz504]

He is not as great as he was made out to be prior to close examination, and he is not as bad as some are making him out to be right now.

He offers more good than bad, but I don't get the fit. Dell just battled for multiple years with a guy who doesn't have the same philosophies he has. Why would he now go out and hire another one if it really is his choice? This might be the one guy he gets to hire, ever. I am sure he will at least want to give it a go with a guy he sees eye to eye with.

I can agree with this sentiment

[Kumar]

He is not as great as he was made out to be prior to close examination, and he is not as bad as some are making him out to be right now.

He offers more good than bad, but I don't get the fit. Dell just battled for multiple years with a guy who doesn't have the same philosophies he has. Why would he now go out and hire another one if it really is his choice? This might be the one guy he gets to hire, ever. I am sure he will at least want to give it a go with a guy he sees eye to eye with.

I don't think anyone can justifiably call Thibs a bad coach. But one can certainly question his fit. And the point you make about Dell not wanting to butt heads with another guy is spot on.

[Spaniard]

I just have to love the line of thought here, as if Thib's track record is below us.

Thib has only been coaching with the Bulls for 5 seasons. He has a 65% winning percentage. His first season 62-20, and went all the way to the conference finals, losing to Lebron's Heat.

His second season they went 50-16 in a 66 game season! And in the first game of the playoffs, the Sixers cut a 20 point lead down to 12 in the fourth quarter(sound familiar?), and D-Rose tears his ACL. They go on to lose that series.

D-Rose played all of 10 games the next two seasons! Yet still, the Bulls went 45-37 and into the second round before losing to Lebron and the Heat again, and 48-34 and lost in the first round to the Wizards.

Now with Rose, they went 50-32 this season, and are in a battle in the second round with Lebron again.

If they lose this series, 3 of his 5 seasons would have ended due to Lebron James. The other two without D-Rose.

I've already stated how Deng at 30 years old just matched virtually every good season he's had. Not to mention Deng found time to play a bunch of international ball in his down time. The only thing that truly held Deng back was a life threatening illness from a spinal tap gone wrong. Are we holding Thib's accountable for that?

Now Jimmy Butler is wearing down even though he just completed a better season than anyone, even himself, ever imagined?

[DirtySouf]

He is not as great as he was made out to be prior to close examination, and he is not as bad as some are making him out to be right now.

He offers more good than bad, but I don't get the fit. Dell just battled for multiple years with a guy who doesn't have the same philosophies he has. Why would he now go out and hire another one if it really is his choice? This might be the one guy he gets to hire, ever. I am sure he will at least want to give it a go with a guy he sees eye to eye with.

Pretty sums it up for me. If you are going to get rid of Monty, Thibs is not your guy.

[IamQuailman]

I just have to love the line of thought here, as if Thib's track record is below us.

Thib has only been coaching with the Bulls for 5 seasons. He has a 65% winning percentage. His first season 62-20, and went all the way to the conference finals, losing to Lebron's Heat.

His second season they went 50-16 in a 66 game season! And in the first game of the playoffs, the Sixers cut a 20 point lead down to 12 in the fourth quarter(sound familiar?), and D-Rose tears his ACL. They go on to lose that series.

D-Rose played all of 10 games the next two seasons! Yet still, the Bulls went 45-37 and into the second round before losing to Lebron and the Heat again, and 48-34 and lost in the first round to the Wizards.

Now with Rose, they went 50-32 this season, and are in a battle in the second round with Lebron again.

If they lose this series, 3 of his 5 seasons would have ended due to Lebron James. The other two without D-Rose.

I've already stated how Deng at 30 years old just matched virtually every good season he's had. Not to mention Deng found time to play a bunch of international ball in his down time. The only thing that truly held Deng back was a life threatening illness from a spinal tap gone wrong. Are we holding Thib's accountable for that?

Now Jimmy Butler is wearing down even though he just completed a better season than anyone, even himself, ever imagined?

Yes

[Kumar]

I just have to love the line of thought here, as if Thib's track record is below us.

Thib has only been coaching with the Bulls for 5 seasons. He has a 65% winning percentage. His first season 62-20, and went all the way to the conference finals, losing to Lebron's Heat.

His second season they went 50-16 in a 66 game season! And in the first game of the playoffs, the Sixers cut a 20 point lead down to 12 in the fourth quarter(sound familiar?), and D-Rose tears his ACL. They go on to lose that series.

D-Rose played all of 10 games the next two seasons! Yet still, the Bulls went 45-37 and into the second round before losing to Lebron and the Heat again, and 48-34 and lost in the first round to the Wizards.

Now with Rose, they went 50-32 this season, and are in a battle in the second round with Lebron again.

If they lose this series, 3 of his 5 seasons would have ended due to Lebron James. The other two without D-Rose.

I've already stated how Deng at 30 years old just matched virtually every good season he's had. Not to mention Deng found time to play a bunch of international ball in his down time. The only thing that truly held Deng back was a life threatening illness from a spinal tap gone wrong. Are we holding Thib's accountable for that?

Now Jimmy Butler is wearing down even though he just completed a better season than anyone, even himself, ever imagined?

Its not always about the record. See Mark Jackson, Vinny Del Negro, Lionel Hollins. You have to look beyond that.

[N.O.Bronco]

I love that the op and seemingly everyone crapping on thibs completely missed the part of the article where the author called Thibs the best coach in the league. How in spite of his criticism he wants Thibs coaching his team for the rest of his career.

[N.O.Bronco]

Its not always about the record. See Mark Jackson, Vinny Del Negro, Lionel Hollins. You have to look beyond that.

Which no one in this thread is doing except spaniard and mcnamara.

Such superficial criticism like he hasn't gotten out of the second round? And you post this to the one guy that actually made a strong case? Spaniard is the one of the few guys who hasn't made a drive by post in this thread that amounts to exactly the sort of thing you are criticizing.

[MichaelMcNamara]

I think there are two different questions here:

1. Is Thibs a good coach?

2. Will Dell want to hire him?

I say yes to #1 and no to #2

[Spaniard]

Its not always about the record. See Mark Jackson, Vinny Del Negro, Lionel Hollins. You have to look beyond that.

His track record was what everyone above is using as a negative somehow, which is why I commented. Thibs is widely known and respected in NBA circles for his coaching. He's essentially THE defensive guru of the league. A highly sought after coach, ex coach of the year, and one that would never be available under normal circumstances.

Look, Monty Williams coaching issues had nothing to do with Monty's knowledge of the game. I have no doubt more times than not, Monty told the guys to do things that would contribute to a winning basketball team. Monty had a couple of major flaws that outweighed others IMO. One was motivating his players. I think this caused the massive ups and down from the team. The lack of focus, and effort against losing teams and on the road. And his biggest flaw IMO was his inability to demand respect. Almost every single post game he said he told the guys to pass the ball, he told them to move it, he told QP to foul, etc etc. But there was never any repercussions. Players continued to not listen.

Thibs is a no nonsense guy. He is going to come in and he is going to demand respect. He is going to tell guys how it is, and either they get in line or they leave. THAT is what this team is lacking the most right now. THAT is why guys don't play good defense, as that takes effort and hard work. The talent is here. Scoring with the players we have is not going to be an issue. We need a leader to put us over the top, and that's what I think Thibs brings.

[DirtySouf]

I love that the op and seemingly everyone crapping on thibs completely missed the part of the article where the author called Thibs the best coach in the league. How in spite of his criticism he wants Thibs coaching his team for the rest of his career.

And I'm sure AD would say that he'd like Monty to coach his also. I don't think Thibs is a bad coach and my criticism comes from hearing the criticism that many in Chicago have and actually seeing it live. I don't hold him accountable for not being able to beat Lebron in the playoffs. That would be crazy.

Thibs is very stubborn which is the main cause of he and management not getting along. Sounds like someone familiar???

[DefensiveMind]

I just have to love the line of thought here, as if Thib's track record is below us.

Thib has only been coaching with the Bulls for 5 seasons. He has a 65% winning percentage. His first season 62-20, and went all the way to the conference finals, losing to Lebron's Heat.

His second season they went 50-16 in a 66 game season! And in the first game of the playoffs, the Sixers cut a 20 point lead down to 12 in the fourth quarter(sound familiar?), and D-Rose tears his ACL. They go on to lose that series.

D-Rose played all of 10 games the next two seasons! Yet still, the Bulls went 45-37 and into the second round before losing to Lebron and the Heat again, and 48-34 and lost in the first round to the Wizards.

Now with Rose, they went 50-32 this season, and are in a battle in the second round with Lebron again.

If they lose this series, 3 of his 5 seasons would have ended due to Lebron James. The other two without D-Rose.

I've already stated how Deng at 30 years old just matched virtually every good season he's had. Not to mention Deng found time to play a bunch of international ball in his down time. The only thing that truly held Deng back was a life threatening illness from a spinal tap gone wrong. Are we holding Thib's accountable for that?

Now Jimmy Butler is wearing down even though he just completed a better season than anyone, even himself, ever imagined?

My gut instinct tells me that Thibs is not the guy for the job, but I would love for someone to provide an intellectual rebuttal to this post.