Thibodeau Accepts Bulls' 3-Year Head Coach Offer

[Confusious]

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau has reportedly accepted the Chicago Bulls' offer of a three-year contract to become the team's next head coach.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the hire will be made official following the conclusion of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Thibodeau's Celtics.

This will be Thibodeau's first shot at a head coaching job after serving as an assistant for seven teams over 18 seasons. A defensive specialist, his teams have consistently finished in the top 10 among total defense, including this year's Celtics, who were second in points allowed.

Thibodeau began his NBA career as an assistant with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989 and joined the Seattle SuperSonics in 1991-92 as a scout. He then worked for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before joining Boston prior to the 2007-08 season.

The 50-year-old Thibodeau will take over for Vinny Del Negro, who was fired on May 4 following two seasons in Chicago.

http://tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=323701

Thought it deserved its own thread.

[Andrew]

I like it, as I said in the Bulls thread fingers crossed he's as good as advertised now he's finally got a head coaching gig.

[Jackal]

I'm glad for him & the Bulls. I'm also glad Shaw will stay on with LA, he seems like he'd make a pretty good coach.

[Sauru]

please god let the celtics win it this year, i see bad things in the future for the celtics. both coaches leaving, everyone gonna need a walker to get on the court. anyway good for him he deserves a shot. his job will be worlds easier if lebron joins.

[Andrew]

his job will be worlds easier if lebron joins.

No doubt, still not holding my breath though. I can't shake the feeling that LeBron will simply use the Bulls as leverage.

[Sauru]

i have been saying forever that lebron is staying in cleveland. i think his ego is so fucking huge that he is gonna spend all summer living it up having his dick sucked by every team in the league just to stay put in the end.

[Jackal]

I found it funny when they asked Kobe Bryant about the LBJ situation. Here they are playing for the championship and people are asking them about Lebron.

[shadowgrin]

For once I would enjoy seeing Kobe be a jerk by being a dick to those who ask him that.

[Jackal]

I might be para-phrasing but I do believe his words were something along the lines of "I don't give a shit."

[Rip32]

From what I read these last 2-3 years, Thibodeau was like the defensive coach of the Celtics (similar to Kuester being the offensive guy for the Cavs). Hopefully he can teach Derrick Rose a thing or two about defense. I always thought if Skiles were around this past season Rose would have been far better on defense than he was with Del Negro.

Good luck to him, just as long as he loses to Detroit 4 times a year

[Dan's Brain]

This is a great birthday present for me. I find it odd that he'd sign while he's still fighting for a championship or, (more to the point) that the Celtics would even allow him to talk to any teams while the Finals are on. But whatever, great move by the Bulls!

EDIT: Technically, I suppose he didnt actually sign, and it won't be really official until after the Finals, but still...

[Confusious]

please god let the celtics win it this year, i see bad things in the future for the celtics. both coaches leaving, everyone gonna need a walker to get on the court. anyway good for him he deserves a shot. his job will be worlds easier if lebron joins.

Agreed, but at the same time, a lot of people don't see it like that. They severely underestimate Lebron's defensive play. I think Thibs will help him out in a big way, but I can also see the majority thinking it came out of no where, which is preposterous.

This is a great birthday present for me. I find it odd that he'd sign while he's still fighting for a championship or, (more to the point) that the Celtics would even allow him to talk to any teams while the Finals are on. But whatever, great move by the Bulls!

Happy birthday man. It's a good day for all of us!

I thought that was a bit interesting too, really. I'm more knowledgeable with the NHL, and no team allows a coach to announce a hiring (unofficially or not) until the finals are over. There's a lot of differences I'm adjusting to.

[benji]

He didn't announce anything.

[Martti.]

Good for both parties, though odd that the Bulls talked contract before game #1 of the Finals and not before the Finals when there was a long break.

[shadowgrin]

Because Bulls management are a bunch of indecisive dolts. They can't even decide to finally fire Del Negro during the season. I won't be surprised if the Bulls lose LeBron because of them.

[George7]

Nice move this.Glad Thibodeau was the one chosen instead of another coach from inside the team.
We'll see in the court how good job he will do in the pre-season

[Andrew]

I won't be surprised if the Bulls lose LeBron because of them.

If they ever had a chance in the first place.

[NovU]

If Lebron really wants to win like Wade, then he should join CHI or MIA imo. Seeing how the Lakers are positioned to contend for next couple of years, I'd rather have Lebron or Wade remaining in East.

[shadowgrin]

If he really wants to win he should sign with OKC for a bit less money. LeBron finally has a capable teammate to go to in Durant and he can be their playmaker and do his thing and also freeing up Westbrook to do more damage.

[Jackal]

That would be pretty lethal. It would also be a bit like MJ & Pippen. Portland cant be happy taking Oden instead of Durant who has just become a monster now.

[air gordon]

if lebron "really" wants to win, he will sign for the MLE to play for any NBA powerhouse.

if it's about the money iMO he will sign a 3yr max contract with Cleveland. when that contract's up, he will sign a 6yr max contract

i'm sticking with the story of Thibs using NOH as leverage rather then the Bulls management being indecisive idiots

[Sauru]

personally i would want to be a player who brings the team that drafted me to the championship not have to hitch on to another team for less money just to get one.

[Rip32]

If he really wants to win he should sign with OKC for a bit less money. LeBron finally has a capable teammate to go to in Durant and he can be their playmaker and do his thing and also freeing up Westbrook to do more damage.

Durant has no desire to play with LeBron: RT @michael_reece: @KDthunderup would u want Lebron in okc?(honestly, nah I like who we have..I'm the leader of that team)

[Confusious]

personally i would want to be a player who brings the team that drafted me to the championship not have to hitch on to another team for less money just to get one.

Cavaliers aren't winning shit with old guys like Shaq and Mo Williams.

Besides LBJ, that team has NOTHING going for them. Not a damn thing. I'd have to question a player that wants to win if he were to resign with them.

I don't think Lebron is going to lose sleep about losing out on a few million. You are aware of his endorsements, right? I also think he'd be interested in bringing BILLIONS of dollars to Chicago. That city is begging for a resurgence. Cleveland wouldn't be anything without him, and even with him they are choke artists.

[Oznogrd]

Cavaliers aren't winning shit with old guys like Shaq and Mo Williams.

True but the GM and Coach are gone and IMO just as to blame as the players for their failure the past 2 post seasons. I almost am 99% sure they're going to tell Lebron "what do we need to do to keep you here?" and you better believe they'll do it.

I don't think Lebron is going to lose sleep about losing out on a few million. You are aware of his endorsements, right? I also think he'd be interested in bringing BILLIONS of dollars to Chicago. That city is begging for a resurgence. Cleveland wouldn't be anything without him, and even with him they are choke artists.

You're disregarding he's from Ohio. He keeps talking about home and how thats his city. You'd be amazed how much that means to some people.