Bulls' one-year dropoff has precedent in NBA
One important question should be addressed before this 33-49 Bulls' season disappears from the rear view mirror:
Exactly where does this performance rank on the all-time scale of disappointing NBA results?
The Bulls took a 16-game nosedive that could not be explained by any act of misfortune or roster revision, such as "Larry Bird played in just six games due to injury," or "Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen replaced by Corey Benjamin, Mark Bryant."
Following extensive research on the subject, it turns out slippages similar to what the Bulls endured are fairly common in the NBA.
The Phoenix Suns, for example, experienced two declines of 15 wins within four seasons from 2001-04, then improved by 33 victories after signing Steve Nash.
Memphis dropped from 49 to 22 wins in 2006-07, thanks in part to Pau Gasol's broken foot. The New Jersey team that went 43-39 and lost to the Bulls in the 1998 first round started 3-17 the following season before coach John Calipari was fired.
The most disappointing team in Bulls' history -- until this year -- was probably the 1981-82 squad, which finished 34-48 after winning 45 games and reaching the second round of the playoffs the previous season.
When it comes to the NBA's greatest failures, though, it's tough to top three teams that missed the playoffs the year after advancing to the conference finals.
The 2004-05 Minnesota Timberwolves, 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks and 1988-89 Dallas Mavericks all share that distinction.
Who's next?
There is no telling how the Bulls' coaching search will play out. It figures to be fluid, with names added to the wish list while others get crossed out.
General manager John Paxson will probably take advantage of the fact the Bulls' job will be among the most coveted this summer. They have a reasonable amount of talent to work with and certainly are not cash poor after finishing second in attendance.
Rick Carlisle and Paul Westphal were among the coaches who lobbied to take over when Scott Skiles was relieved of duties in December. Carlisle worked the Cavs-Wizards Game 1 for ESPN. Westphal is a Dallas assistant who hasn't been a head coach since being fired by Seattle in 2000 after a conflict with Gary Payton.
Some believe Detroit assistant Terry Porter could be a top candidate, while another league insider suggested the Pistons wouldn't mind seeing Porter depart.
There are other NBA assistants considered strong candidates for head coaching jobs, such as San Antonio's Mike Budenholzer, Dallas' Mario Elie and the Lakers' Brian Shaw.
One of the most common opinions voiced by league personnel is that Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau deserves a chance to be a head coach. If Thibodeau is among the Bulls' finalists, he won't be available until June, barring a colossal playoff upset.
No-win situation
Whether someone believes departed Bulls coach Jim Boylan did an admirable job or was in over his head, no one can deny that he was thrown into a nearly impossible situation.
Keep in mind that the Bulls did show some spark after Boylan took over, but a pair of overtime losses to good teams, Orlando and Portland, sucked away some of the momentum.
Then, Luol Deng came down with his Achilles' tendon injury, and the Bulls were left shorthanded during the softest part of their schedule. While Deng missed 16 games, Ben Gordon 10 and Kirk Hinrich six between January 5 and February 14, the Bulls went 9-12 when many teams would have folded completely.
Anyone who met Boylan's wife, Jane, or saw him walk down the hallway after games with his two daughters (who were frequent visitors) has confidence that Boylan will get along just fine without the Bulls.
Sample ballot
Here's how Mike McGraw voted in the NBA's postseason awards:
Most valuable player
1. Chris Paul, Hornets
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
3. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
4. LeBron James, Cavs
5. Tim Duncan, Spurs
Coach of the year
1. Doc Rivers, Celtics
2. Byron Scott, Hornets
3. Maurice Cheeks, 76ers
Rookie of the year
1. Kevin Durant, Sonics
2. Al Horford, Hawks
3. Luis Scola, Rockets
Defensive player of the year
1. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
2. Shane Battier, Rockets
3. Bruce Bowen, Spurs
Most improved player
1. Travis Outlaw, Blazers
2. Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
3. Roger Mason Jr., Wizards
Sixth man award
1. Manu Ginobili, Spurs
2. Ben Gordon, BULLS
3. Leandro Barbosa, Suns
All-NBA first team
Kevin Garnett, Celtics
LeBron James, Cavs
Dwight Howard, Magic
Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Chris Paul, Hornets
All-NBA second team
Tim Duncan, Spurs
Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs
Amare Stoudemire, Suns
Deron Williams, Jazz
Tracy McGrady, Rockets
All-NBA third team
Antawn Jamison, Wizards
Carlos Boozer, Jazz
Tyson Chandler, Hornets
Allen Iverson, Nuggets
Steve Nash, Suns
Jason Richards report
Former Barrington point guard Jason Richards, a hero of Davidson's surprising drive to the Elite Eight, did not fare particularly well in last week's Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational, the first of two NBA predraft camps. Richards averaged just 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in three games. One observer felt Richards didn't show the defensive quickness that was so impressive in the NCAA Tournament.
Richards was overshadowed on his own team by UMass guard Gary Forbes, who averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds. Ohio State guard Jamar Butler was named most valuable player of the event.