The nasty divorce between the Chicago Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau has reached its conclusion, but not before some damaging rumors surfaced. Some players didn't support Thibodeau's return during exit interviews and avoided him during the past offseason, reports K.C. Johnson from the Chicago Tribune.
Some Bulls players purposely avoided Tom Thibodeau in offseason, according to report
They felt they badly needed a break from the demanding former Bulls coach, according to one report.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Thibodeau’s unrelenting intensity is well known by now, but the perception was that his players had his back. That might not have been entirely accurate. News about them taking a break during the offseason, choosing to work out outside the Bulls’ practice facilities to avoid him, suggests his style had been wearing thin on them for a while.
Thibodeau has been known to ride his star players for heavy minutes, a practice that has been going out of style as teams try to find ways to prevent injury. Over the years, multiple Bulls have been encouraged to play through pain by their coach, which can also explain why some might have turned on him.
The rift between Thibodeau and the front office made it almost impossible to see a scenario in which he would return after this past season. Without the support of the players, his dismissal was inevitable.
Even with these new allegations that damage his reputation, Thibodeau will have plenty of suitors. He has the third-highest winning percentage of any active coach behind Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr, and is considered to be a defensive mastermind.
With openings in Orlando, New Orleans and potentially Denver, Thibodeau will have a chance to coach in the 2015-16 season if that’s what he wants. Fred Hoiberg leads the list of potential replacements for the now vacant position of Bulls head coach.
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