Zippy-The-Pinhead wrote:
Ron Wolfley wrote:
Adrian Wojnarowski was on Mully and Hanley this morning. The interview ended with Woj saying that a big reason why this divorce will happen is because management feels they haven't gotten enough credit. The spotlight has always been on Thibodeau.
Cubs pre and post game host Mark Grote (filling in for Hanley) said he knows Paxson and can't believe management feels that way. Grote said Paxson is already beloved here because of the big shots he made during his playing days. It would be totally out of character for Paxson to be envious.
I find it hard to believe the animosity is purely jealousy based. I'm guessing it's more Thibs being hard headed and almost insubordinate when minutes and rotation are discussed.
I think the most logical explanation is GarPax is playing poker with suitors of Thibs by forcing them to make a move if they really want him. That means doing nothing until they get a call from a team. That this process may result in those teams hiring other coaches (and thus screwing Thibs out of a job if he's fired) is irrelevant because holding out for a pick is in Chicago's best interest. Thibs is just a pawn just like any player under contract in that his interests are subordinate to those of the team.
The only way holding out is not in Chicago's best interest is if they are then prevented from interviewing a coach they've identified as the best coaching candidate out there (because they have a coach in place). If the pelicans really want Thibs and don't want to trade for him, they should schedule interviews with Hoiberg, Gentry, and whomever else the Bulls are interested in just to force their hand.
No one is giving up a first for Thibs, particularly given how transparent the Bulls have made it that he's gone. This effort to attempt to regain leverage is poor at best though not really a surprise given the players involved in the front office.