Tom Thibodeau will have no trouble finding a new job
One of the more aggressive statements I can remember about the firing of a coach: pic.twitter.com/VYgS94d3Rx
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) May 28, 2015
It's funny how the NBA's coaching carousel works. Thibodeau finished third in the league's Coach of the Year voting last year. He even placed seventh in the voting this season. The former Celtics assistant just guided Chicago to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the Eastern Conference. To this point, his Bulls are the only team to win a playoff game from LeBron James' Cavaliers (they got two). I also remember hearing something about an injury to Derrick Rose at some point during Thibs' tenure.
Really shrewd move by the Bulls today with Thibs. Now fans won't have to get their hopes up with all those annoying 50-win seasons.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) May 28, 2015
"some success" pic.twitter.com/j1V9Ye1DnR
— Brett Poirier (@BrettNBA) May 28, 2015
Tom Thibodeau's 255-139 (.647) record in the regular season is second only to @PhilJackson11 (.738) among Bulls head coaches.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 28, 2015
ESPN also notes that Thibodeau's winning percentage was the fourth-highest in the league among coaches over the past five years. Sure he's been known to leave his starters in too long, but he's also responsible for bringing a suffocating defensive intensity to both Boston and Chicago.
In spite of how things turned out with the Bulls, many former Celtics credit Thibodeau as being a big reason why they won the title in 2008.
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBA) May 28, 2015
A really, really good basketball coach just became available. Whichever team lands Tom Thibodeau will immediately become more formidable.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) May 28, 2015
For what it's worth, the President also agrees:
.@apat246 @chicagobulls love thibs and think he did a great job. Sorry to see him go but expect he will be snatched up soon by another team.
— President Obama (@POTUS) May 28, 2015
It's hard to argue Thibodeau wouldn't be on most people's short list of top coaches in the NBA--and the Bulls just let him go.
Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan
