Many are clamoring for a changing of the guard at the very top level of the Chicago Bulls. But a more realistic solution might have just surfaced.
If there is one thing most who watch the Chicago Bulls agree upon, it’s that a change must be made. Much has been written about this and who needs to go. John Paxson is always a popular choice, but it sounds like at most he will just be in the background. This basically renders the much-publicized reshuffling moot if Paxson is still trusted with the final say.
So the focus shifts (shocker) to the head coach and the immediate impact the right one can have. This without disturbing the true power structure we’ve all come to know and love. For all his (many, many) foibles, Jim Boylen has gotten this team to play better defense and they haven’t turned on each other, just on him.
That still probably means a new voice is needed. General manager suggestions haven’t been the only things bandied about. Potential coaching hires have too. But a new name has just been made available and it’s one that has experience in just the kind of thing the Bulls are going through. So who is this perfect candidate?
The Next Bulls Head Coach Is…
Kenny Atkinson, that’s who. The now-former Brooklyn Nets head coach and the team mutually agreed to part ways on Saturday, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brooklyn is 28-34 after winning 42 games last season. They were the sixth-seed last season and are seventh entering of play Saturday.
Rumors are swirling about the root cause of Atkinson’s departure. Speculation is that there “some” players that didn’t want him around anymore. That is notable given the construction of the Nets roster. Kevin Durant (who has been out all season) and Kyrie Irving (appeared in 20 games before being shut down) were both once fans of Atkinson but that must have changed.
But if we are being honest, prior to their arrival, the players reportedly loved him. He helped resurrect the career of D’Angelo Russell, implemented a fun and modern style of offense and put players in positions to succeed. He also helped reshape the culture of the Nets organization, along with general manager Sean Marks, after the failed Brooklyn Big Three.
A Great Fit
So why would Atkinson be a great fit for the Bulls? After all, if Durant and Irving wanted him in Brooklyn, he’d still be the Head Coach. Well, aside from lacking one player close to either of those guys, Atkinson is a logical next step in the Bulls rehabilitation of their own image around the league.
Boylen’s tenure will go down among the Tim Floyd and Bill Cartwright eras, but it won’t be for naught. They can build upon the defensive principles the players have picked up and fill in the blanks with tweaks to the roster and coaching adjustments. Remember, this roster is likely to be the same next season barring and trades.
Zach LaVine is the most likely to not withstand any sort of teardown. But if he does stick around he could see a Russell-like ascendence to his profile. He is ahead of where Russell was when Atkinson got him. And while it isn’t apples-to-apples, LaVine and Coby White could both thrive much like Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie did.
Bulls Should Tab Atkinson
The Nets offensive rating rose each of the last three seasons. They were also 8-12 in the games that Irving played this season; a situation similar to last year’s Boston Celtics. It isn’t hard to believe Atkinson is a good coach and not what Irving and Durant want are both true. That doesn’t mean he can’t do what he did for the Nets (prior to the Mercurial pair’s arrival) for Chicago.