Chicago Bulls: Better Times Ahead

Seems like old times now that we know Doug Collins will become the next Bulls head coach, according to multiple league sources.  Collins has been working for TNT for almost 19 seasons, so this is coming as quite a shock to fans and colleagues alike.  Although a deal hasn’t been finalized, I would look for it to happen within the next couple of weeks.

Collins recently released this statement through TNT: "I have spoken with Bulls management recently about their head coaching vacancy and will resume conversations after the conclusion of my work for TNT in the Western Conference Finals. There is no agreement in place."

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf told WSCR the team will continue to interview candidates. "We had one telephone conversation and one meeting and no agreement has been reached," Reinsdorf told the radio station.

Bulls general manager John Paxson’s statement also mentioned that what sources said is all but a written contract.

"I have been in contact with Doug Collins in regard to our head coaching position," Paxson told a reporter from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Contrary to some reports that are currently out there, we have not reached an agreement. Right now, his commitment is covering the Western Conference Finals for TNT. When that series concludes, we will continue our dialogue. In the meantime, I will continue to talk to other candidates and review our options.”

When Collins got the okay from his son, Chris, to be able to coach again, Collins didn’t hesitate.  A source close to Collins said the statement was window dressing and that Collins had agreed to take over as Bulls head coach. The source said Collins’ son would not be joining his father’s Bulls staff.

If Collins does come back (and it looks like he will), the city of Chicago should be very confident that the future of professional basketball in Chicago is going to be back among the nation’s elite once again.  Once they are able to draft either Beasley or Rose, Collins will have the pieces needed to rebuild very quickly.  Either Beasley or Rose would be a great pick for Chicago.  They need inside scoring and valid point guard play.  Beasley would probably generate more fan hype and memorabilia sales.  Rose would be more of a pick that would be an answer to filling in the role of a franchise point guard that they could staple their team’s name with.  If they draft Beasley, I think they will be a mild force right away.  Beasley has an uncanny knack to be able to score from anywhere on the court.  He is a natural rebounder with size, strength and a nose for finding the ball.  Collins has always been the type of coach who looks for inside scoring if he can get it, so Beasley makes perfect sense. That's why Doug Collins memorabilia remains popular.

Speculation is that Paxson will want Collins to hire one of his other coaching candidates as an assistant. Collins could then groom that man to take over as head coach though — James could also grow into that role.

Paxson met last week in Los Angeles with Lakers assistants Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw. Utah assistants Tyrone Corbin and Jeff Hornacek, former Minnesota head coach Dwane Casey, and Sacramento assistant Chuck Person also interviewed last week. Former Knicks guard Mark Jackson, who works as an analyst for ESPN, also interviewed with Paxson. Current Cleveland Cavaliers guard Eric Snow is also said to be of interest to Paxson. Eric Snow photos make a great addition to any collection.

Paxson wanted to hire Collins as an assistant coach in 2003, a move which was blocked by then head coach Bill Cartwright. It was then that Paxson characterized Collins as a brilliant basketball mind. Reinsdorf also has high regard for Collins, despite having fired him from the Bulls in what was a controversial move at the time.

Interest will be at an elevated level now that the Bulls have been doormats for so long.  Collins possesses the kind of coaching prowess and intelligence to bring the Bulls back to the top.  With the draft being so fruitful this year, and with Chicago checking in with the number one pick in the draft, the Bulls family is expecting better days ahead.  If the Bulls can make a couple of signature trades to bolster a lineup with some powerful big men, then it doesn’t look like it is going to take very long to move through the rebuilding process.

It surprised some since Collins had said no when the Phoenix Suns made a call to fill their head coaching vacancy created when Mike D’Antoni when he left to take the New York Knicks job. New York Knicks apparel items are perennial fan favorites.

"I know Doug's got the itch [to coach again]," a league source told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I think the Bulls' youth intrigues Doug more than the Phoenix [Suns] situation. He's a teacher first and foremost. That's what he likes to do. He might have been leery about taking on a more veteran team, including dealing with Shaq." Of course, Shaquille O'Neal basketballs are among the collectibles in constant demand.

More than one NBA type wondered how Collins would wear on a young team. Collins, as laid back and relaxed as any off the court, is known to be emotional and high-strung when coaching.  He is very well versed when it comes to disciplinary coaching.  It remains to be seen if the current Bulls will mesh well with Collins or not.  If they do, watch out next year.  I think they are heading in the right direction to say the least. Either way, fans will be clamoring for Chicago Bulls jerseys, which never go out of style.