Despite the team making the playoffs each of Tom Thibodeau’s five seasons as head coach, the Chicago Bulls fired him on Thursday, citing a need for change.
With two years and about $9 million left on his deal, Thibodeau’s Bulls were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals earlier this month.
Editor’s Selections
Greenberg: The divorce between Bulls and This was inevitable.
Jon Greenberg, age nine
Greenberg: The Bulls’ statement could have demonstrated greater respect.
Jon Greenberg, age nine
Friedell: Thibodeau, as if each game were his final nine years Friedell, Nick
In the regular season, the 2010–11 NBA Coach of the Year had a.647-win percentage (255–139) with Chicago, despite star point player Derrick Rose only participating in 181 of 394 games due to injury. Since taking over before the 2010–11 season, Thibodeau’s teams have dominated the league in terms of field goal percentage (43.2) and points per game (92.6).
However, sources indicate that the Bulls’ discontent with their coach stems from their inability to defeat injury-plagued Cleveland in the playoffs and their lack of offensive flow to match their customary defensive tenacity. This goes beyond the well-documented tension between Thibodeau and Bulls general manager Gar Forman and executive vice president John Paxson.
Bulls chairman Jerry Reisdorf remarked, “The Chicago Bulls have a history of achieving great success on and off the court,” in a statement announcing the player’s termination. The aforementioned achievements can be attributed to an organizational culture that prioritizes clear and consistent goals, encourages open communication among all members of the organization, and values input from all directions. There must be free and open interdepartmental conversation and consideration of everyone’s thoughts and perspectives, even while each department head within the organization must be free to make final choices affecting his or her department. These internal conversations must stay confidential and not be viewed as an infringement on territory. Teams that succeed at the greatest levels on a regular basis are able to unite and develop bonds with each other and with staff, players, coaches, management, and ownership. When all members of a team are in agreement, trust grows, and collaboration can flourish.
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