In an in-depth and well-researched piece for ESPN, Nick Friedell examines how the Bulls went from a title contender to one of the NBA’s worst teams within the last several years. Friedell’s report, which begins by revisiting Derrick Rose‘s first major injury back in 2012, provides plenty of interesting tidbits along the way, touching on the tension between Tom Thibodeau and the front office, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah, Dwyane Wade and his young teammates, and Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic.
As Friedell details, there has no been no shortage of issues in Chicago in recent years, with even the most successful seasons during that stretch including a few sour notes. For instance, sources tell Friedell that executives John Paxson and Gar Forman felt like they didn’t get enough credit for the roster they built during the Thibodeau years.
Friedell’s whole piece is worth a read, but here are a couple more details from it, along with more Bulls notes:
- When the Bulls landed Wade last summer, Forman conveyed the impression that the front office had been planning its pursuit of Wade for weeks. In reality though, according to Friedell, the Bulls were “shocked” that they had an opportunity to pry Wade away from the Heat, and altered their rebuilding plans when it became clear they could sign him.
- Via Freidell, here’s what Paxson had to say about the perception that the Bulls could have done better than the Timberwolves’ package in a Butler trade: “Teams would call us all the time and probe about Jimmy and that type of thing. But no one ever made us any type of legitimate offer. In fact, most teams, when they would make an offer, it was somewhat insulting. So we always listened, which teams do, but it really came down to, could we start to rebuild with some quality young players? And hope that knowing what our future holds, it’s going to be painful at times. But if we get into these next few drafts at a fairly significant level, the hope is that pairing what draft picks we have going forward and the players that we got in this deal, we can get back sooner rather than later.”
- In a separate article for ESPN, Friedell notes that the fight between Portis and Mirotic denied the Bulls the opportunity to push an optimistic and hopeful narrative about the team’s rebuild to open the season.
- Although Portis privately and publicly apologized for punching Mirotic, there are growing concerns that the relationship between the two players may be much more difficult to repair, as Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes. Mirotic hasn’t returned any of Portis’ calls or texts, says Cowley.
Portis has always portrayed himself as a Type A kind of player. Very Aggressive, and I don’t believe Mirotic will stay, he will move on..
A stronger coach is required to provide direction to Bobby Portis, or his thuggish tendencies will destroy his opportunity in the NBA.
Very nice article
I don’t believe a word out of either Gar or Pax mouths. Everything they say and do is about saving face and extending their career in basketball operations.
You want to know the problem? GAR FORMAN. G.A.R. F.O.R.M.A.N.
That’s the problem. This guy has been the undeserving recipient of “The Jerry Reinsdorf Crony Job Award,” for the last 14 years.
There is ZERO accountability in this organization, because Reinsdorf is so loyal to his buddies, but not the fans. You know, the fans….the ones who actually pay the bills.
In a regular franchise, Forman would’ve been fired about 8 years ago.
The guy is completely incompetent, doesn’t know much about basketball, is an insecure drama queen, and only employs buddies that he know will be “yes” men.
If you want to make this franchise better, you fire this guy (and Paxson) and make Doug Collins the VP/GM.
In Dayton Ohio in the 70s (maybe still) the HS postseason tournament went 6 games for one ticket on Saturdays and I might go for them all… and John Paxson was there too, sitting by himself, the star of Alter, the best team, watching teams whether or not they might be upcoming opponents. A legit future GM.
I was always pleased at his successes and that MJordan seemed to enjoy running with both Dayton-area guards, Paxson and Ron Harper, though they were VERY different.
It is probably true that nobody actually made a better offer than what Minne made. Seems like he could have waited longer though, like Altman did with Irving, and at least not trade down in the draft. And there’s the Payne business, and selling Bell. Also the Portis suspension should be partly delayed until Mirotic returns– and even decides the length, if thats what it takes for unity. Any number is otherwise random.
I am kind of hoping he gets fired and gets another shot somewhere away from the Bulls.