For reasons regular people can hardly understand, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau’s job is in jeopardy. Philosophical differences about the team’s future — and how much the hard-driving Thibodeau should rest players during the season — are at the heart of the standoff. But in most professions, anyone doing their job as well as Thibodeau has done his in Chicago would be up for a promotion, not a dismissal.
The Bulls players, after virtually failing to show up for a Game 6 stomping by the Cavaliers (94-73), are on the same page about Thibodeau — to hear them talk. “If it was up to me, he’d be back,” said Derrick Rose.“If you want to be coached and pushed, Thibs is the coach for you,” said Taj Gibson. Joakim Noah called Thibodeau a “hard worker who always had us prepared.” But Thibodeau would have been harder to fire after a conference championship. The Bulls didn’t look like they wanted it more than the Cavs did. Thibs, on hearing his guys, must be thinking yeah but actions speak louder than words.
