Sources: Bulls VP Paxson shoved Del Negro

[Andrew]

Wojnarowski report

After a loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 30, an irate Paxson walked into the coach’s office at the United Center and confronted Del Negro over a narrow breach of a management-imposed minutes limit on injured forward Joakim Noah(notes). Sources said Paxson first grabbed a hold of Del Negro’s tie and seemingly tried to provoke him with two successive jabs into his chest. Paxson was even heard to angrily challenge Del Negro to a fight.

There were several staff members present, sources said, and assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff stepped between Paxson and Del Negro and pulled Paxson away.

Sources said Del Negro did not retaliate, mostly out of fear the incident could be used to void his contract without pay or hurt future career opportunities elsewhere. The Bulls have dispatched lawyers to interview witnesses about the incident, sources said.

Wow...that's appalling, if true. I'm no fan of Del Negro but he's been nothing but professional in the wake of the shabby way he was treated by Paxson and Forman earlier this season. Dressing him down for ignoring the directive? Fair enough. Getting physical over it and challenging the guy to a fight? Unprofessional, boorish, childish and way out of line.

[J@3]

If the Bulls were that tough on the court no one would be angry about anything.

[Valor]

Getting physical over it and challenging the guy to a fight? Unprofessional, boorish, childish and way out of line.

That about sums it up.

The whole situation in Chicago isn't completely Del Negro's fault, I don't like him as a coach, but he has done a nice job with all the injuries and mid-season deals. What Paxson did was just unacceptable behavior, he should make a public apology or something along those lines.

[Andrew]

The whole situation in Chicago isn't completely Del Negro's fault, I don't like him as a coach, but he has done a nice job with all the injuries and mid-season deals. What Paxson did was just unacceptable behavior, he should make a public apology or something along those lines.

Honestly if it's true, I don't think his firing/resignation would be out of order. As it is I don't have much confidence in the tandem of Paxson and Forman to get the job done moving forward, so I wouldn't be too sorry to see him ousted for that behaviour.

[NovU]

Is this true? IT's just shocking. Paxson was a guy like that? Just pure stupidity...

At least it's good that Del Negro didn't act in the same manner.

[Valor]

The whole situation in Chicago isn't completely Del Negro's fault, I don't like him as a coach, but he has done a nice job with all the injuries and mid-season deals. What Paxson did was just unacceptable behavior, he should make a public apology or something along those lines.

Honestly if it's true, I don't think his firing/resignation would be out of order. As it is I don't have much confidence in the tandem of Paxson and Forman to get the job done moving forward, so I wouldn't be too sorry to see him ousted for that behaviour.

Agreed. The Bulls front office needs to be revamped big time anyways so this is a 'great opportunity' to do just that

After this I've basically lost all (if there were any remaining) respect for Paxson that I had for him from his days as a player.

[shadowgrin]

Is this true? IT's just shocking. Paxson was a guy like that?

If you played with Michael Jordan for many season, you're bound to pick up some bad habits...

[Andrew]

Actually, I'll pay that. A Steve Kerr/Alvin Gentry altercation would've made for a better reference though.

[adv1s5]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5086856

Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro initiated the physical contact with executive vice president John Paxson during an altercation on March 30 -- contrary to a report that painted Paxson as the aggressor -- a source close to the situation told ESPNChicago.com.
...
However, a source close to the situation disputed who initiated that argument, and said that it wasn't the first altercation Del Negro has had with management. The source said that Del Negro and Bulls general manager Gar Forman had an altercation in Forman's office that was similar, but did not give details.

"So this was not the first time [Del Negro] exhibited this behavior," the source said.

A call placed to Del Negro on Wednesday afternoon was not immediately returned.

The plot thickens!

[shadowgrin]

Does not make sense. Del Negro being a bully to his boss will only get his ass fired without hesitation considering the situation with him and the team. Unless the owner really likes Del Negro. Then again, this is the Bulls we're talking about, so the new plot not making sense makes perfect sense.

[Andrew]

Does not make sense. Del Negro being a bully to his boss will only get his ass fired without hesitation considering the situation with him and the team. Unless the owner really likes Del Negro. Then again, this is the Bulls we're talking about, so the new plot not making sense makes perfect sense.

After the way he was treated in the whole "He's fired, oh wait we have no replacement for him, guess he'll finish out the season" fiasco, maybe it was some tension and anger boiling over. That doesn't make it right either, it's unprofessional and uncalled for no matter who the aggressor was though as you said it seems weird that Del Negro would physically accost two prominent individuals who are higher up on the food chain within the organisation.