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Bulls' concerns about D'Antoni

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While Bulls GM John Paxson is said to like Mike D'Antoni personally and value his offensive coaching skills, D'Antoni's reputation as a lesser defensive coach is giving Paxson pause. D'Antoni also routinely limited practice time with a veteran -- and superstar-laden -- Suns team. That's not to say D'Antoni couldn't change if he took over one of the league's youngest team in the Bulls, which his camp has stressed is his desire. But Paxson is giving indications he might want to wait to interview candidates such as Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau.

Chicago Tribune

Mike D'Antoni, AP Mike D'Antoni, AP
May 8, 2008  10:15 AM ET

The Bulls would be much better off with Johnson. D'Antoni had all the tools in Phoenix, and couldn't get it done. He's a nice guy, but that won't get it done without defense.

May 8, 2008  10:25 AM ET

I would think D'Antoni must be coming to the realization defense matters and will impliment it into his game plan where ever he ends up. Bulls take him they will win 50+ games easily in the eastern conference.

May 8, 2008  10:33 AM ET

Avery johnson is a better choice.

May 8, 2008  10:44 AM ET

I think Avery would a better choice, but let's not forget that D'Antoni had to work with players who had no concept of defense. Nash, Stoudemire, Diaw, .... are not exactly NBA Defensive Team material.

May 8, 2008  10:47 AM ET

I would think D'Antoni must be coming to the realization defense matters and will impliment it into his game plan where ever he ends up. Bulls take him they will win 50+ games easily in the eastern conference.
LF | 05/08/08, 10:25 AM

D'Antoni's "Run & Gun" offense worked in Phoenix because he had Nash, and Stoudemire. The Bulls don't have the personnel to go out and simply outscore their opponents. They will be no better than they are now.

May 8, 2008  11:02 AM ET

you hire d'antoni and get a good defensive assistant, like bird did in indiana and the celtics have done this year....i don't know why we make this stuff so hard...

May 8, 2008  11:02 AM ET

avery johnson is too much like skiles for that to work....

May 8, 2008  11:15 AM ET

avery johnson IS too much like skiles i agree with you ZaZ...

same with carlisle when his name is continuing to be brought up in conversation.

thibodeau is a good choice but id rather have d'antoni...

i think we need the offensive help and in the east...i dont think theres much defense being played...the only ones who do are the celts and the pistons

May 8, 2008  11:26 AM ET

why not michael jordan?

May 8, 2008  12:26 PM ET

i think we need the offensive help and in the east...i dont think theres much defense being played...the only ones who do are the celts and the pistons

Meteora16

So you don't want to win a title? You would be happy in a few years if your team won 50 games but couldn't get past the Celts or Pistons in the playoffs? It sounds good on this side of it, but ask any Suns fan I bet they think it sucks.

May 8, 2008  12:43 PM ET

why not michael jordan?

rinkrat | 05/08/08, 11:26 AM

Jordan would donate his balls to Rosie Odonnell before this happens.

May 8, 2008  01:10 PM ET

He/ll get outcoached wherever he goes!!! It wont matter!!!!

May 8, 2008  01:11 PM ET

IF PAXON SCREWS THIS ONE UP..... ID FIRE HM DRAFT NIGHT AT LEAST HE CAN DRAFT...... ON THE BUISNESS SIDE HES A FOOL.... NOT TRADING FOR GASOL, GARNETT AND KOBE GOES WITH OUT SAYING.....
D'ANTONI IS THE PERFECT FIT.....NOAH, THOMAS, HIMRICH, DENG, GORDON, AND SEFOLOSHA WOULD FLOURISH.....WHATS TAKING HIM SO LONG....... WHAT A FOOL.......

May 8, 2008  01:12 PM ET

D'antoni will be a major mistake for any team. The only reason why the Suns were winning is because of Steve Nash. D'antoni had 1 or 2 seasons before he got Nash and they weren't winning and didn't even make it to the playoffs. They even had Shawn Marion and Stoudemire before Nash and they had one of the worse records. Nash gave the team the biggest turnaround, made the Suns a contender, and most of all made D'antoni look good as a coach. I'm not sure if he was coach of the year for one year and if he was it's because of Nash.

You better think twice before hiring him.

May 8, 2008  01:16 PM ET

The Suns should hire Avery Johnson. Avery would be a good fit for the Suns. Avery preaches defense and at the same time he has the tool to get them over the hump. Avery said that the 2 positions that the Mavs were missing are the center and point guard position. Suns have that.

I would really feel sorry for the Mavs fans and especially Cuban because this will come back to bite them.

May 8, 2008  01:17 PM ET

Meanwhile...IT'S LOVELY IN LAKERLAND!!!

May 8, 2008  01:24 PM ET

Guam: You're kidding, right? D'Antoni came in after Frank Johnson was fired and made the best with what he had at his disposal.He had that partial season to contend with the likes of Marbury and Hardaway before they were traded to NY. The Suns surely didn't stand too much of a chance with the personnel they had at that time (players or coach) and the team struggled.

Without D'Antoni, there probably would have been no Nash signing. D'Antoni is clearly an offensive guy and needed Nash to run his offense. I give Mike lots of credit for pulling the team together and loading the roster with solid talent to play his style. To say that a team should be wary in hiring him is a bit rash considering what he was able to do with the Suns in his few years here.

In order for him to be able to work out wherever he goes, he's going to need to have a say in player personnel and movement. He will need an owner who's not afraid to get it. He needs a team that believes in him and his format. Will he get those things? We'll see. Wherever he ends up, that team will instantly be better off.

May 8, 2008  01:26 PM ET

Avery Johnson is the wrong choice for PHX. He will NOT work here.

May 8, 2008  01:28 PM ET

RJ

It is lovely in Lakerland. If the team plays the way they're playing then nobody can stop them. I hope Kobe stays the way he is right now. He has become a better teammate and leader this year. I used to say he is playing un-Kobelike this yeare because he didn't trust his teammates before. He has become a better person and better opponent because now he respects everybody and give complements to his opponents. That is why he is the MVP. He is more likeable now but still plays w/ the killer instinct on the court. These are good qualities that he was missing in the past.

 
May 8, 2008  01:30 PM ET

Avery Johnson in Phoenix, now that is a funny one

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