Does D'Antoni have inside track?
There is little question that Suns coach Mike D'Antoni wants out of Phoenix, and he left a positive impression on Bulls general manager John Paxson when the two met Sunday in Arizona.
Will D'Antoni become the next coach of the Bulls?
Stay tuned.
The debate Tuesday at the Berto Center was whether to make D'Antoni an offer or wait until Paxson gets a chance to meet with former Dallas coach Avery Johnson.
A report surfaced that Johnson met with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh on Tuesday in Houston. One of Johnson's representatives acknowledged that the former point guard was planning to meet with the Bulls this week, but no one was certain when that conversation will take place.
Beyond competition from Johnson, there do not appear to be any barriers to the Bulls hiring D'Antoni. A team insider did not think Phoenix was looking for any compensation, as long as the Suns would be off the hook for the $8.5 million remaining on D'Antoni's contract over the next two years.
That would mean D'Antoni is looking to be paid at least $4.25 million per season, which shouldn't be an issue for the Bulls. They were paying former coach Scott Skiles $4 million per year, and Skiles reportedly was given an average salary of $4.5 million by the Milwaukee Bucks.
A greater question is whether Paxson and the Bulls would be comfortable with a coach better known for scoring points than stopping opponents. During D'Antoni's four full seasons in Phoenix, the Suns led the league in scoring three times and averaged 110 points per game three times.
D'Antoni is said to have bristled at suggestions by Suns general manager Steve Kerr that he focus more on defense and play the starters fewer minutes. Kerr has been on the job for less than a year.
Paxson performed essentially the same role on the 1991-93 championship Bulls teams as Kerr did from 1996-98. If Kerr had problems with D'Antoni, wouldn't Paxson have the same concerns?
He might. But there also is a feeling that the Bulls could benefit from a different coaching philosophy. D'Antoni might help maximize the talents of current players, and his presence conceivably could make it easier to re-sign restricted free agents Ben Gordon and Luol Deng this summer.
D'Antoni's fast-paced offense is considered very player-friendly.
Upgrading the point guard position already was a priority for the Bulls. It will become an even greater need if D'Antoni is hired. The most likely point guard targets are Memphis' Kyle Lowry or Toronto's T.J. Ford in a trade, or perhaps Texas' D.J. Augustin in the draft.
Former Suns star Charles Barkley gave D'Antoni a mixed review during an appearance Tuesday on WMVP 1000-AM.
"The Suns' system is fun to watch. It's obviously built for the regular season," Barkley said. "I mean you're not going to win a championship with it, but it's good-looking to watch. I call it 'sissyball.'
"When I was in Phoenix, they said I didn't like the Suns, and I said, 'Well, the theory that you can outscore people and not play defense and rebound, that's absurd.' And it proved to be correct. I think he's a heck of a coach, but you all are going to have a great regular season."