Rumors of a rift between Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and those above him in the team's power structure have persisted for a long while, and the latest report on the matter sounds rather troubling. From the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson:
Despite the two seasons left on the four-year extension Thibodeau took several months to sign in the 2012-13 season, several league sources believe Thibodeau's relationship with management is beyond repair. And while there are no plans to replace Thibodeau during the season, a mutual parting of the ways after this season wouldn't surprise many league personnel familiar with the deteriorating dynamic.
When Bulls general manager Gar Forman elected not to renew the contract of assistant coach Ron Adams in the summer of 2013, it was widely believed that Thibodeau was rather displeased. More recently, the front office reportedly has tried to influence Thibodeau to reduce his players' minutes, but the coach obviously hasn't complied and has repeatedly denied it's an issue. From the Chicago Tribune again:
"The only way you can improve execution and timing is really through repetition," Thibodeau said. "The only way you get repetition is you have to practice. … There's the school of thought that less minutes are better. There's also the school of thought that when you do less, you also become deconditioned."
Thibodeau went on to reference Phil Jackson playing Pau Gasol big minutes with the Los Angeles Lakers. It does not appear he will budge, regardless of how many other teams are monitoring minutes and resting players. It's understandable that management would be frustrated about this, but it's unfortunate if he is indeed in danger of getting fired in the offseason because of it.
Since taking over the team in 2010, the Bulls have been consistently one of the league's best defensive teams. They have overacheived despite all sorts of adversity and serious injuries to star players. Thibodeau has given the team an identity, helped develop core players and won a Coach of the Year award. Chicago hasn't been to the Finals with him, but that could change this season.
Both Thibodeau and Forman recently dismissed a story about his job being in jeopardy, by the way.
