NEWSLETTER
Remember in “Space Jam” when Michael Jordan first walked into the gym and saw a bunch of Looney Tunes running into walls and tripping over their unstable cartoon feet? Well, that’s kind of how I imagine the first day on the job for the Bulls new head coach. To be clear, I’m not bashing the players. Inside that Looney Tunes gym was a lot of talent, and the same goes for the Advocate Center. Bugs Bunny and Co. just needed someone to help right the ship, and before you know it, they were crushing aliens that were 20x their size.
Once a new Bulls head coach can get his hands on this team, dissect what exactly went so wrong under Jim Boylen, implement a new system that compliments the existing talent, and fill the Gatorade jugs with Michael’s Secret Stuff, I have a good feeling we’ll see a very different Bulls squad.
• NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson broke down a bit further what a new head coach must do early-on to guarantee success.
Whenever the Bulls hire their coach, here’s one stab at a to-do list: https://t.co/7oCKCxrWTJ
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 24, 2020
• The Athletic’s Shams Charnia reported this morning what many NBA fans have expected – head coach Brett Brown will be out of Philly soon.
Following a series sweep and seven years as head coach, the 76ers are expected to part with Brett Brown, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
Details in Shams' latest Inside Pass notebook at @TheAthletic ⤵️https://t.co/gNJPJs3tfW pic.twitter.com/bhA3gK4q0p
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 24, 2020
• What does this mean for the Bulls? More competition in the coaching market. The 76ers offer another job that is arguably more intriguing than Chicago. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on the roster, along with pieces like Tobias Harris and Al Horford, there is a lot to work with. Obviously, Bulls target and current 76ers assistant Ime Udoka will be the most important name to keep an eye on over the next couple of days. Chicago is apparently high on Udoka and will interview him sometime in the near future. The connection with new general manager Marc Eversley could give them a fighting chance if both organizations expressed a clear desire to hire Udoka, but I have to imagine he’d stay in Philly. Meanwhile, the other names currently reported to be on the 76ers radar to not overlap with the known candidates on the Bulls list. Although, it’s probably only a matter of time before they do.
• In other coaching news, Juwan Howard’s agent is trying to work some magic.
ESPN Sources: A possible NBA coaching candidate whose name is gaining traction within front offices: Michigan coach Juwan Howard. Howard has an obviously strong resume as a player and later an assistant under Erik Spoelstra. He interviewed for Lakers, Cavs before taking UM job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 24, 2020
• After working on an NBA bench for years, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Howard considered for a couple of the open head coaching jobs. However, with the wide variety of qualified assistants and former head coaches around the league, I just don’t see Howard landing a gig this offseason. The Nets and Pelicans both seem to be in the market for someone who’s a little more proven. Funny enough, he kind of fits what the Bulls are looking for in a young, up-and-coming first-time head coach, but it doesn’t feel likely that he surpasses some of the names already on the organization’s radar. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
• Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley is buying Chicago Bulls playoff stocks, are you? I’ve waffled on whether or not I should have my sights firmly set on the playoffs next season for this Bulls team. With hopefully (*knocks on wood repeatedly until knuckles bleed*) a fully healthy roster, and the addition of another lottery pick, it seems like this Bulls team should be able to finally compete for No. 7 or 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. I don’t think the Hornets, Hawks, Cavaliers, Knicks or Pistons are better than them. The true test will be whether or not they can surpass the Wizards and Magic. Washington will likely have John Wall back on the court to pair with Bradley Beal – though, we have no idea how healthy Wall will be. Also, in my opinion, the Wizards bench will not be as strong as the Bulls. Orlando has plenty of young pieces, many of which have gained playoff experience in the past two seasons. While we may want to write them off, they know how to do just enough to squeak into the postseason. Still, with a new head coach and a roster full of – what many continue to consider – promising young talent, playoffs probably should be the expectation for Chicago next season. After all, it’s in Karnisovas’ best interest to demonstrate some newfound competitiveness before 2021 free agency.
• Welcome to the club, Donovan.
Players with multiple 50-point games in a playoff series:
Michael Jordan
Allen Iverson
Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/ob9mD5QorT— ESPN (@espn) August 24, 2020
• Quality tweet.
No. 23
His Airness pic.twitter.com/WEfzxwnTbx
— Slam Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2020
