After 5 successful seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau was fired in a fashion that most fans would consider, messy and unjustified. Yet, after appearing on ESPN Radio on Friday morning, Thibodeau made it clear that he is not interested in a do-over.
Thibodeau said he has, “no regrets” and said that he had “a great run” with the Bulls, as relayed by Vincent Goodwill of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Instead of firing head shots at the Bulls, Thibodeau took the high road, praising his time in Chicago.
Thibodeau declined to comment on his hostile relationship with Bulls management and defended himself by pointing to the Bulls’ sterling 255-139 record over his five seasons atop Chicago.
There is always the possibility that new Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg will turn out to be the right individual for the job. He is, after all, personable, charming, and considered a players’ coach. He ran a pro-style offense at Iowa State, and the Bulls brass seem to believe that he can bring that same free-flowing style to Chicago.
The way I see it the joke’s on the Bulls, because while the higher-ups and Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf are excited about the future direction of this organization, they fired a great coach. And they will undoubtedly regret it in the long-run. Jeff Van Gundy himself slammed the Bulls for a “lack of class”, and I couldn’t agree more with his sentiments. The Bulls allowed for any disagreements and feuds they had with Thibodeau to be played out for the public and that can never be a great look for any organization. The Bulls had him under contract for two more years, but they decided to cut him loose. Just don’t be too surprised if Fred Hoiberg cant fill his shoes, and they lament that decision within a few years.
