By Jordan Long
The Chicago Bulls ended the year at 22-43, missing the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season. They have decided to part ways with Head Coach Jim Boylen after their lackluster year. They will start a search for their next Head Coach.
Boylen was appointed Head Coach of the Bulls 24 games into the 2018-2019 season. This was after they let go of Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg spent 3 years in the Windy City going 115-155, a disappointing winning percentage of .426. The Bulls were hoping for better results with Boylen.
Boylen coached the Bulls to a 17-41 finish in 2018-2019. The Bulls could have let him go then. They must have decided 58 games wasn’t enough for him to prove what he could do as the Head Coach. They allowed Boylen to coach this year. The Bulls started this season at 2-6. They couldn’t recover. Chicago wanted better results and decided moving forward it was best to part ways.
According to CBSsports.com, Arturas Karnisovas, Executive Vice President Of Basketball Operations for the Bulls, said, “After doing a comprehensive evaluation and giving the process the time it deserved, I ultimately decided that a fresh approach and evolution in leadership was necessary. This was a very difficult decision, but it is time for our franchise to take that next step as we move in a new direction and era of Chicago Bulls basketball. Jim is a great human being that cares deeply about this organization and the game of basketball. I want to thank him for his professionalism and commitment to the franchise.”
Boylen needed to be replaced. He showed in his almost 2 seasons with the Bulls they weren’t playing at a playoff level under him. The Bulls went 39-84, a winning percentage of .317.
The Bulls candidates for their next head coach could include Denver Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Toronto Raptors Assistant Adrian Griffin, Bucks Assistant Coach Darvin Ham, and former Brooklyn Nets Coach Kenny Atkinson.
Out of all these names, the one that makes the most sense is Kenny Atkinson. He at least has NBA Head Coaching experience. It lasted from 2016 to 2020 with the Nets. The Nets were an unimpressive 118-190 under him but they made the postseason in 2019. With his knowledge, it may help Chicago become a better team.
One former NBA Head Coach they should consider is Jason Kidd who is currently an assistant with the L.A. Lakers. Kidd coached the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. His coaching career lasted from 2013 to 2018. During that span, Kidd’s record was 183-190 but his teams reached the postseason 3 times. He might be the answer to turn the Bulls into a winner again.
Chicago will take their time to find their man to take over the franchise. The next Head Coach of the Bulls must have a few seasons to become a playoff team. The goal should be in the next 2 or 3 years to earn a playoff spot. It will take a while for them to become an NBA Championship contender once again. The Bulls organization needs to be patient because results will not come fast.
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