SB Nation Boston - Tom Thibodeau Introduced As Bulls' Newest Head Coachhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2010-06-23T13:06:00-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/12500752010-06-23T13:06:00-04:002010-06-23T13:06:00-04:00Bulls Introduce Tom Thibodeau As Head Coach
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<p>The Chicago Bulls officially introduced Tom Thibodeau <a href="http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/thibodeau_hired_100623.html">as their new head coach on Wednesday</a>.</p>
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<p>"I am very excited to be here and to join the Bulls organization. Chicago is a great city with great fans and a storied history," said Thibodeau. "I would like to thank Jerry Reinsdorf and Gar Forman for presenting me with such a terrific opportunity. We have a talented team with a good nucleus of players, and I am eager to get started."</p>
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<p>While reports have the deal set set at around $6 million over two years with a team option, the Bulls did not reveal the details of the contract per team policy.</p>
<p>With the announcement, Thibodeau’s successful term as Associate Head Coach of the Celtics comes to an end after two trips to the Finals, including the Championship 2008 campaign.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/23/1532405/tom-thibodeau-bulls-coach-head-announceBenjamin Buchanan2010-06-18T16:24:13-04:002010-06-18T16:24:13-04:00Bulls Set To Introduce Tom Thibodeau As New Head Coach On Wednesday
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<p>What promises to be a tumultuous offseason for the Celtics will officially begin Wednesday. It's then that Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau will be introduced as the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5302853">new head coach of the Chicago Bulls</a>.</p>
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<p>The Bulls have scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Wednesday, making official what has been known for weeks. Thibodeau agreed to a three-year deal earlier this month, but the Bulls and the NBA agreed to wait until after the NBA Finals were over to make the hiring official.</p>
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<p>According to many reports, the deal is worth $6.5 million, with two years guaranteed.</p>
<p>The press conference is schedule for Wednesday, at 12:00 P.M. ET.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/18/1525146/tom-thibodeau-bulls-head-coach-introduction-wednesday-celticsRyan Hudson2010-06-06T14:44:48-04:002010-06-06T14:44:48-04:00Tom Thibodeau, Soon To Be Coaching LeBron James?
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<p>To get you quickly caught up: LeBron James is a basketball player. He is a very good basketball player. But he's also kind of selfish sometimes; some might even say he is a "jerk." And he has seemingly made it his mission to get his name in every single headline this offseason as he weighs his free agency options (sorry, NBA Finals!). So, it should be a fun June.</p>
<p>The latest example of this came on Saturday, when it was wondered aloud by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski: could Tom Thibodeau, the <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/2010/5/24/1486034/celtics-defensive-guru-tom">new head coach of the Bulls</a>, be joined in Chicago by LeBron?</p>
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<p>World Wide Wes has been telling everyone that he believes LeBron James is leaning hard toward signing with the Chicago Bulls. No one can be certain if basketball's most famous middleman has been whispering honest insights to friends or amping the anxiety of Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert. Just know this: <b>It wasn't until Tom Thibodeau - who swore he never again wanted an agent - signed with William Wesley's CAA that the Chicago Bulls grew serious about the coach's candidacy.</b></p>
<p>As one front-office executive with a franchise that has significant salary-cap space this summer said, "I think all the big free-agent deals will be done by July 1, if not the draft. The NBA would have a cow if [it] knew what's going on now."</p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/6/1504054/lebron-james-bulls-tom-thibodeau-free-agentRyan Hudson2010-06-05T21:51:33-04:002010-06-05T21:51:33-04:00Doc Rivers On Thibodeau And Chicago Report: 'I Hope It's True'
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<p>Since it is against NBA rules to announce any official coaching moves before the Finals conclude, the report that Tom Thibodeu has agreed to become the newest head coach of the Chicago Bulls is, for now, still just a report. Which is obviously pretty silly, considering things like this happen:</p>
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<p class="bbpTweet">Tom Thibodeau leaves Celtics practice and accepts congratulations from an NBA official for taking Bulls job <a href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23celtics" title="#celtics" class="tweet-url hashtag" rel="nofollow">#celtics</a><span class="timestamp"><a title="Sat Jun 05 22:08:15 +0000 2010" href="http://twitter.com/gwashburn14/status/15514073708">less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com" rel="nofollow">TweetDeck</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/gwashburn14"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/182560133/Copy_of_new_gary_sitting_on_my_desk_pic_normal.jpg"></a><b><a href="http://twitter.com/gwashburn14">gary washburn</a></b><br>gwashburn14</span></span></p>
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<p>Until the Finals are over, no one is allowed to confirm any details, but that didn't stop Doc Rivers from letting his <a href="http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2010/06/05/reports-thibodeau-coach-bulls/">feelings known on Thibodeau's new job on Saturday</a>.</p>
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<p>"I hope it's true," Rivers said. "But we're not going to comment on it, I can tell you that. We're focused on the NBA finals. It's the Lakers and the Celtics and that's what we're going to keep the focus on. But on Tom, he deserves the job. I think he's the best candidate out there. Let's hope it's true, but we're going to leave it at that."</p>
<p>Rivers did say that Thibodeau's future won't have an impact on whether he returns next season to the Celtics.</p>
<p>"No, Thibs and I are very close, but that won't have an impact," Rivers said. "I want all of my coaches to get jobs. Kevin Eastman and Armond [Hill], those guys are gems. But that won't have an impact. Honestly, I haven't thought enough about it."</p>
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<p>For all things Celtics, be sure to visit our <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/5/1503377/tom-thibodeau-bulls-coaching-job-celtics-doc-rivers-nbaRyan Hudson2010-06-05T17:04:12-04:002010-06-05T17:04:12-04:00Tom Thibodeau Reportedly Accepts Offer To Become Bulls' Head Coach
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<p>Tom Thibodeau said no thanks to the Hornets on Thursday, and now we know why: the defensive guru has accepted to job to become the new head coach of the Bulls, according to the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-chicago-bulls-tom-thibodeau-coach,0,4023353.story">Chicago Tribune</a>.</p>
<p>While no official announcement can be made until the NBA Finals, the Tribune's report cites "sources" saying Thibodeau will indeed become the franchise's 18th head coach, agreeing to three-year offer. Although New Orleans showed genuine interest, it was believed that Chicago was his number one choice all along. </p>
<p>Sam Smith, who is employed by the Bulls, recently posted at <a href="http://blogs.bulls.com/chicago_bulls_blog/2010/06/thibodeau-hired-to-coach-bulls.html">Chicago Bulls Blog</a> a report with the same news:</p>
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<p>But reliable sources close to Thibodeau confirmed that Thibodeau received the three-year offer worth some $6.5 million late Friday and agreed early Saturday.</p>
<p>Sources also said Thibodeau is trying to persuade Oklahoma City Thunder assistants Mo Cheeks and Ron Adams to join his staff in Chicago with holdover Pete Myers.</p>
<p>Thibodeau also is not expected to comment until the Finals conclude and under rules of the Celtics assistant coaches cannot do interviews with the media.</p>
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<p>It didn't take long for Thibodeau to make his decision -- news of the Bulls making an official offer broke just hours earlier.</p>
<p>Early reaction is already in from <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2010/6/5/1502922/bulls-offer-thibodeau-the-job">CelticsBlog</a>, and while they will be sad to some of his expertise leave the team, they're happy for him, because really, it was a long time coming.</p>
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<p>Good for Tom. I'm happy for him. I'll miss him, but in truth he probably should have gotten a job years ago. We've been lucky to have him this long. Here's hoping he can finish off his tenure in Boston on a high note.</p>
<p>Chicago should be a good fit for him too. He'll have an already talented squad with the potential to play good defense. Deng can be a poor man's Pierce and Noah can be a very poor man's Garnett. And of course <span>Derrick Rose</span> is going to be a rival of Rondo's for quite some time. We'll see which free agent they can add too. My initial guess is <span>Joe Johnson</span>, but we'll see.</p>
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<p>Thibodeau has been an assistant in the NBA since 1989, coaching for the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a>, Sonics (as an advance scout), <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a>, Sixers, Knicks and <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> before joining Boston prior to the 2007-08 season. His specialty is defense -- Thibodeau-coached teams have finished in the top-10 defensively 15 times.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/5/1503100/tom-thibodeau-bulls-head-coach-accepts-celticsRyan Hudson2010-06-04T12:43:49-04:002010-06-04T12:43:49-04:00Celtics' Defensive Guru Tom Thibodeau Reportedly Frontrunner For Hornets' Job
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<p><span>Tom Thibodeau</span>, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/BOS" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> assistant coach and defensive genius for the past three seasons, is reportedly the number one choice for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NOH" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a>' head coaching vacancy.</p>
<p>Citing "sources," <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2010/5/24/1485921/boston-celtics-assistant-tom">Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski</a> reports that New Orleans is putting together an offer and could present it to Thibodeau "in the near future."</p>
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<p>Sources say it's been an excruciating process because general manager <span>Jeff Bower</span> and president Hugh Weber have also been impressed with their other finalist, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/POR" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> assistant <span>Monty Williams</span>. Sources say Hornets point guard <span>Chris Paul</span>(notes) has also been an advocate for the Portland assistant coach.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Celtics' success in the postseason has again crystallized Thibodeau's strength as a defensive coach.</p>
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<p>The report says that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/CHI" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> owner Jerry Reinsdorf and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NJN" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> GM Rod Thorn have also shown interest in the man credited for much of the Celtics' recent success.</p>
<p>This is hardly the first time that Thibodeau's name has been mentioned for head coaching positions. He has interviewed before with the Sixers, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/DET" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/SAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>, and during the 2008 Playoffs, he was rumored to be a candidate for both the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NYK" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> and Bulls jobs.</p>
<p>It is unknown if Thibodeau would even take the job now if the Hornets offered it to him, though. He may still want to wait until after the postseason for his opportunity to talk with Chicago.</p>
<p>Thibodeau has been an assistant in the NBA since 1989, coaching for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIN" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a>, Sonics (as an advance scout), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/SAN" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a>, Sixers, Knicks and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/HOU" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> before joining Boston prior to the 2007-08 season.</p>
<p>For more reaction visit <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/5/24/2315719/celtics-defensive-guru-tom-thibodeau-reportedly-frontrunner-forRyan Hudson2010-06-04T12:41:41-04:002010-06-04T12:41:41-04:00Thibodeau's Tour Continues: Meets With Bulls Brass In L.A.
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<p>Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau continues to be a hot commodity on the coaching market. John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/2353346,CST-SPT-bull04.article" target="new">reports</a> that Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman flew to Los Angeles, where Thibodeau is with the Celtics for the NBA Finals, to meet with him Wednesday night. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss made this helpful clarification regarding what Thibodeau's interviews mean for Boston:</p>
<blockquote><p>''But what we're not doing is we're not setting [the interviews] up. This is all arranged through Tom and teams that are contacting him. This is on his own, away from practice time, on his own dime, on his own agenda.''</p></blockquote>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/4/1501340/tom-thibodeau-meets-with-chicago-bulls-nbaEvan Dunlap2010-06-03T13:18:15-04:002010-06-03T13:18:15-04:00Report: C's Assistant Tom Thibodeau Rejects Hornets, Wants Bulls Job
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<p>The New Orleans Hornets asked Tom Thibodeau to let them know by Thursday whether he would accept their head-coaching position. Now, Fred Kerber and Peter Vescey of the New York Post <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/thibodeau_nixes_hornets_MZOGoHEnHUPrjyVCUdh9lK" target="new">report</a> Thibodeau has turned the Hornets down, and has his eyes on Chicago's coaching vacancy instead:</p>
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<p>The Post has learned Thibodeau yesterday rejected a Hornets offer that has been on the table for almost a week.</p>
<p>Sources also said Thibodeau, credited as Boston's defensive mastermind, is almost guaranteed to wind up with the Bulls, whom he met with two summers ago but lost out to Vinny Del Negro.</p>
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<p>It appears as though Thibodeau's time on Boston's bench will end as soon as the NBA Finals does.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/6/3/1499653/tom-thibodeau-rejects-hornets-wants-bullsEvan Dunlap