After the Chicago Bulls concluded their disappointing season on Wednesday — and in the midst of one of their NBA records falling — Bulls general manager Gar Forman and vice president John Paxson addressed the media.
There was probably a lot to be disgruntled with as a Bulls fan on Wednesday night.
Not only did Stephen Curry drop 46 points in three quarters on the Memphis Grizzlies to lead the Golden State Warriors to their NBA-record 73rd win of the season, the Bulls front office duo of Gar Forman and John Paxson spoke with the media after Wednesday’s 115-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Is it safe to call Forman and Paxson’s press conference a devious public relations move on Wednesday night?
Well, being that the Warriors were going for 73 wins to eclipse the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, Kobe Bryant was playing in his final game, both Chicago baseball teams were in action and the Chicago Blackhawks opened their Stanley Cup title defense all on Wednesday … you tell me.
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Regardless of when they spoke, it was what Forman and Paxson said that made the headlines.
(All quotes obtained from Bulls.com, who transcribed the whole press conference of Forman and Paxson on Wednesday night.)
“Somebody told me that there was a report that Gar’s job is in jeopardy. It’s not. We’ve had one bad year,” Paxson said on the concept of Forman (and himself) losing their jobs.
“I can point to a lot of really good years where we’ve built something from scratch. And we have confidence that we’re going to get it right. That’s the way it is. Jerry and Michael (Reinsdorfs) obviously have the ultimate decision. And they’ll talk at the appropriate time, I’m sure. But Gar and I are going into this believing we’re going to get this done.”
Simply put, the pipe dream of some Bulls fans won’t become reality any time soon. Forman and Paxson are a part of the Bulls’ future.
But, what about the franchise’s two centerpieces?
“They’re both very talented [Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler], but it didn’t always mesh this year,” Paxson said.
“But you can say that about a lot of our players. Look, we need a tougher collective mindset. We need a better identity as a basketball team. Somewhere this year it got sideways. I’m not exactly sure where, but that’s on us to try and get right.”
OK, so the Bulls have no sense of chemistry is what you’re saying, John?
“I don’t think our chemistry, if that’s the right word, was great this year. For whatever reason the locker room wasn’t what you would like it to be. I do think going forward our vision of how to play, it’s what the league is getting to now. It’s more skilled basketball players, more pace up and down. We didn’t play that way this year for a lot of reasons.”
That’s exactly what you’re saying. And yeah, it makes sense.
How about the head coach?
“We still believe Fred has a bright future. I’ve seen a lot of young guys in this league come in and have tough first years or second years but through hard work, they become better players. The same can be said for coaches,” Paxson said.
“Fred is going to have to work at it. He’s going to have to devote a lot of time and energy to determining what he wants to be as a head coach and how he wants his teams to play. And we have to give him the resources to do that. And we will. We’re confident spending with Fred and going forward, we’re going to turn that part around. I left a final message with our group and told them this year wasn’t acceptable.”
From the sound of it, Hoiberg’s getting another shot next season.
Forman and Paxson — mostly Paxson — spoke on a matter of issues, including the futures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol.
Overall, the thought of a press conference in the midst of sports chaos already put a sour mood on the whole concept of the presser itself.
Next: Rumor: Jimmy Butler getting better treatment than other Bulls?
Plus, until the Bulls front office actually puts some action behind their words (that hardly anybody listened to last night), not many will buy into their concept of changes, despite “nothing being off the table” apparently.