D’Antoni gone, now what?
It pains me to see the Bulls let another big name get away. It wasn’t a superstar player, it was a coach who would have infused life and effort out of each player on the roster, simply because of the style he brings.
The thing that really should hurt all Bulls fans is Mike D’Antoni wanted to be here. The players wanted him to be here. The fans thirsting for some excitement wanted him to be here. I’m going to be honest, this current Bulls roster doesn’t want to be preached. This team needs to get out and run and with D’Antoni’s offensive system, the Bulls would have returned right back into an Eastern Conference contender.
The money could have been matched. $6 million over 4 years is affordable. While none of my friends agreed the New York Knicks will be better than the Bulls next year, they would say they would be more fun to watch. Think about it, if Stephon Marbury returns, he’ll buy into D’Antoni’s system because of the scoring opportunities. Nate Robinson will be great at pushing the tempo, Jamal Crawford will fill scoring lanes along with David Lee, Wilson Chandler and Quentin Richardson and Fred Jones can fire away from outside. I disregarded Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, but I believe they’ll be excited and motivated to have D’Antoni Also consider the Knicks may have a top-5 pick in the draft and will have the chance to select Derrick Rose, Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo or Eric Gordon. Also consider in 2010, when New York will have cap-room at a time when LeBron James and Dwayne Wade become free agents.
The Bulls now return to the consolation coaches of Avery Johnson and Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau. Each are great coaches in their own right, both are big on defense but don’t have the lure of a Mike D’Antoni. I was even more excited about the draft having D’Antoni as the coach but now I’ma little concerned. Like everyone now I’m wondering what direction is this Bulls team headed?
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on Sunday, May 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm and is filed under Avery Johnson, Bull Riding Updates, Mike D'Antoni, Derrick Rose, contract negotiations, Bulls, NBA Teams, Dwyane Wade, Eddy Curry, Coaches, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Eastern Conference, Chicago Bulls.
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5 Responses to “D’Antoni gone, now what?”
May 12th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This young Chicago team has always been a defense-oriented team,so I’m not hurt at all by Mike D’Antoni getting away from this team.If Mike D’Antoni came here,he would have probably given the same results as he did with Phoenix,nothing but offense,no defense at all,and defense has always been the name of this game,he just would have gotten Chicago as far as the postseason with just offense and a championship tradition like Chicago has never been down and straight with postseason appearances
May 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
It’s a shame but it came down to money. I think he would have been a perfect fit in Chicago, but I also think Paxson doesn’t want competition for his job.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Defense wins championships. Plain and simple. It all comes down to who can get stops and can close teams out. The Bulls can get back to being a good defensive but they are better suited playing a more uptempo game and with what happened with former coach Scott Skiles, I don’t see another defensive disciplinarian having success with this current roster.
Ed, you’re right. It came down to money but I believe it had more to do with how Donnie Walsh and the Knicks management courted D’Antoni and made him feel wanted. Jerry Reinsdorf and John Paxson were slow from Day One when reports that D’Antoni claimed he wanted to be here.
We can just add D’Antoni to the list of names such as Garnett, Gasol and Bryant.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I don’t think that D’Antoni would have been a good fit and agree with Chris that defense does win championships. I think Avery Johnson would be a perfect fit for this team, as a defensive minded coach. Avery good screwed out of a job becuase of Cuban and the deal for Kidd. I just really think we need to get another point guard becuase Hinrch is not the answer, I’m really hoping for D rose, how much would it take to get from 9 to 1 or 2???
May 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Avery did get screwed but with the reluctance to pay a coach for the long haul, is Chicago a good option for him?
I been pushing for Derrick Rose for the latter part of the season but it does seem he is the #1 pick now so the Bulls would have to be willing to part with Deng, Nocioni, T. Thomas or Ben Gordon to move up that far.
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