Former Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky wasn’t happy with the circumstances regarding his exit from Chicago, according to a story from BasketNews. Satoransky was part of the package sent to the Pelicans in a sign-and trade deal for Lonzo Ball, and he was disappointed that he didn’t get more of an acknowledgement from executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas after spending two years with the team.
“It was tense. You’re in the city for two years, you fight for them, you live for the team — and then you receive a text from general manager Karnisovas which says, ‘Thanks for your time in Chicago,’” Satoransky said in an interview with Czech media. “That was the only thing I got from him. But I’m not angry; you can’t be emotional at that moment. But when one thinks about it … after two years of hard work, it’s actually brutal.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- In an interview with Kelsey Russo of The Athletic, Sidney Lowe says a conversation with his long-time friend J.B. Bickerstaff led him to become an assistant coach with the Cavaliers. Lowe, who was on the Pistons’ staff the past three seasons, mentioned his possible availability while they were talking this summer. “And so, we’re just talking, and he wasn’t really aware of my situation,” Lowe recalls. “And then I let him know what was going on. And, he just told me, he said, ‘Well, you know, we might have something available.’ We’ve always respected each other, and we talked basketball when we saw each other and over the phone. So he said, ‘Well, let’s see what happens down the road here.’”
- Isaac Okoro made notable progress between his rookie season and Summer League, and an NBA.com article examines what’s ahead for the Cavaliers swingman. Okoro was Cleveland’s leading scorer in the two games he played in Las Vegas, averaging 16.0 PPG and making 13 of his 22 shots from the field. The Cavs would like to see him become more aggressive on offense this season.
- There’s an expectation around the league that the Pistons will convert Luka Garza‘s two-way deal to a standard contract before the season begins, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv. The rookie big man out of Iowa averaged 15 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during Summer League. Detroit currently has both two-way slots filled, so converting Garza’s contract would create an opening.
I get connections are important in the NBA and in many careers, but J.B. hiring Sidney Lowe just based on a friendship doesn’t make sense to me personally. Especially since the Cavs are desperate for an offensive-oriented coach, and Sidney does not fit that bill even remotely.
Nowhere did it say it was based “solely” on friendship.
Obviously there’s things that must have made Sidney Lowe appealing to JB, then you add in that being a friend helped him make ease with the transition.
What was appealing? His 79-228 record as a coach? Him having the worst offense in the NBA with the 135 games he coached the Timberwolves? Or the 3rd worst offense in the 90 games he had when coaching the Grizzlies? Was it the “constant discord” between his players/coaches and him? What was appealing?
A friendship. That is what was appealing.
Nothing about his coaching has been successful. He was even 86-78 as the NC State coach and had minimum 14 losses per college season. Point is, Cavs need offensive coach, that was Lindsey Gottlieb’s role.
Everything in that quote from Lowe points it to being a friend being a good connection and hooking them up with a job. You can’t convince me that Lowe was the right person for the job or even has shown he is capable of helping the Cavs in the way they need right now.
@sexland
Who were those stellar players on the pre-Garnett Wolves? Laettner, Doug West and Chuck Person? How about those vaunted Vancouver/ Memphis Grizzlies? Jason Williams, Shawn Battier and a couple of early years of Paul Gasol? He’s never had a true bonafide star to work with. A win/loss record is the worst way to examine whether or not he’s a good offense coach. Im not defending the choice one way or the other but his head coaching record doesn’t mean he can’t be a good coach to aid the offense, our young guards or that he’s even being brought in to handle the offense at all.
Isaac will be special. The kid is 20, one of the most ripped guys in the NBA already, has all the intangibles to blossom, is a workhorse, and best of all is a great person with a good head on his shoulders. Hard not to root for him.
Man I have so many rookie autograph cards of okoro because they were so cheap while everyone bought Lamelo ant and wiseman, I hope you are right pal
I bought a few in auctions for a $1
Coming into the league, Okoro reminded me a little of Jimmy Butler at the same stage. If he can work to improve his offense like Jimmy did, he can definitely be a hell of a player.
What did Tomas want from the Bulls? His jersey retired or something.
It’s easy for us to sit here and think no big deal, or stop whining, but he was asked a question and he’s not a frickin robot. He could have gave some bs answer, but he was honest. How would you feel if your boss let you know you were gone after two years via text message?
I for one feel like Tomas satoransky didn’t acknowledge me spending my money on the bulls during his 2 year tenure, and that for one is brutal….smh no one is anymore special than anyone, crying over acknowledgement is possibly the softest thing I’ve heard since lebron got carried off the court with cramps
If you really think the front office would’ve treated a star player the same way as they treated Tomas I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell you. By only sending him a text they basically said “You’re not important enough or good enough to get a proper goodbye from us. Hence, this text”.
I don’t know, a phone call? Was that too much to ask?
Stop commenting, Tomas.
Maybe he think he is the goat and deserve more..but its not.just decent player.he played for bulls and bulls paid him.the end.
So only goats deserve a 2-minute phone call. Man, you have low expectations for people. No one is suggesting he deserved a tremendous sendoff. Just a little bit of real human interaction.
How original.
maybe he contacted the agent first, which is usually the protocol and assumed he was made aware.
Don’t get me wrong. Like Satoransky. Good rotation player. Satoransky is 29 years old and in the final season of a three year $30 million dollar contract. Wish Satoransky would just shut up.
“Don’t get me wrong… shut up”
Apparently the Bull’s theme is take your money and run! Effort should be spinal, not emotional, like with DRose.
Some respect…
I’m just hoping Tomas Satoransky is extremely motivated enough to be a major contributor off the bench for my New Orleans Pelicans.
So Satoranski is sad? Hasn’t retained his time. You aren’t a Bull anymore, Tomas.
Pistons? Signing Luke is prime-time, can’t believe you landed him.
I am truly sorry Tomas, you deserve better, we all know that, but… what do you expect from a classless team led by a classless manager?
I mean what expectation can anyone have from CHI?
Are you kidding me?
At least now you are in a better place, enjoying life in a far better city!
What team do you support may I ask and what is with all the hate for the Bulls and Chicago?
And if you think New Orleans is a better market than Chicago, I want you to introduce me to your guy…
Yes a phone call would have been much better. AK, Marc Eversley, Billy Donovan and the owner Reinsdorf are all good people.
Boo hoo hoo hoo. Satoransky should thank the Bulls organization for the privelege of playing for the Bulls and ‘oh by the way’ giving him a $30 million dollar contract.
Okoro is going to be a beast this season! GO CAVS!
Minimum professionalism here is a phone call to the players involved before they see it in the news. If he doesn’t answer shoot him a text…call me ASAP. He if does not then text him the bad news.
Definitely would be a better look if he got a phone call or a more personal text.