Breaking down the coaching candidates for the Bulls
There is no better place for the Bulls' coaching search to begin than with the most successful NBA coach of all time.
Phil Jackson's contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expires at the end of the season and his girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, recently said she expects him to coach somewhere next year.
The key word, of course, is "somewhere."
"I know that he can't just retire," Buss said.
So why can't Jackson return to the Bulls, the team he led to six championships in the 1990s? He's only 64 years old. Hubie Brown coached the Memphis Grizzlies at age 72.
The idea is far-fetched, but not impossible.
If, for some reason, things don't work out with the Lakers, Jackson might think about the Bulls, who are, in theory, one good free agent away from becoming a title contender.
The Bulls would definitely be interested, even at the hefty price Jackson commands. He reportedly made $12 million this season.
Of course, obstacles exist. First of all, there needs to be a divorce from the Lakers, a team Jackson has coached with great success for 10 seasons. He would also be leaving his family behind with a return to the Midwest.
Beyond all that, the Lakers appear headed back to the NBA Finals, which means Jackson will be tied up until late June. If he has any interest in the Bulls, he'd have to send word now and there's no evidence that has happened.
Assuming Jackson isn't coming back, here's a rundown of candidates for the Bulls' coaching job, from the favorites to the unlikely:
Kevin McHale: The former Boston Celtics great stayed out of the spotlight during his relatively successful run as general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now that he's resurfaced as a TNT analyst, McHale has shown the world that he's both engaging and funny.
In two stints as coach of the Timberwolves, McHale posted a 39-55 record, but he was Western Conference coach of the month in January of 2009. He's been floated as a Bulls candidate since December and could be the early favorite.
McHale has the name recognition that might help during the free-agent chase.
Lawrence Frank: The former Indiana University student manager, 39, still looks more like a college freshman than NBA head coach.
But he lasted more than five seasons in New Jersey and won three playoff series with the Nets. He was finally let go after an 0-18 start last season.
Maurice Cheeks: The DuSable High School grad never won a playoff series in three-plus season with both Portland and Philadelphia.
Then again, he won 49 and 50 games in Portland during the "Jail Blazers" era.
He also led the Sixers to a surprisingly strong finish in 2007-08.
The legendary Sixers point guard might relate well to Derrick Rose.
Jeff Van Gundy: He has solid credentials, learning under Pat Riley and having success as a head coach in both New York and Houston.
Sure, he ripped the Bulls on TNT when news of the John Paxson-Vinny Del Negro scuffle became public. But Paxson just ripped himself at a news conference.
If Van Gundy is interested, he figures to get an interview.
Tom Thibodeau: Long mentioned as an assistant who deserves the chance at a head job, Thibodeau is known for organizing the defensive plan for Van Gundy in Houston, then in Boston under Doc Rivers.
Some question if he's more of a tactician than a coach who can lead NBA players. He's still working in the playoffs with the Celtics.
Sam Mitchell: He coached Chris Bosh for four-plus seasons in Toronto, which may or may not help the Bulls land the coveted free agent.
Mitchell fits the mold of the overachieving player who turns into a quality coach, but might be viewed as too rough on his players.
Dwane Casey: The runner-up during the Bulls' 2008 search, Casey has been working under Rick Carlisle in Dallas. He has head coaching experience from Minnesota, but isn't likely to get a second look.
Tyrone Corbin: The Utah assistant and former DePaul star has a reputation for being strong at player relations. Does he know his Xs and Os well enough to be a head coach?
Another long shot.
Byron Scott: He makes sense, having had success in New Jersey with Jason Kidd and in New Orleans with Chris Paul. Word is, he's not the hardest worker, which figures to turn the Bulls off.
Doug Collins: As much as he might want to return to the Bulls, the team is not interested. More trouble than he's worth - is that the right way to put it?
Avery Johnson: He might have gotten an interview in 2008, but didn't seem interested after losing his job in Dallas.
The Bulls also had concerns that Johnson is too hard on his players. He recently blasted Bulls management on the radio, which might have ended any chance.
Eric Musselman: His name came up in December when the Bulls started researching potential candidates.
The former Kings and Warriors, according to numerous sources, is not on the list.
John Calipari: He's been mentioned as a candidate since he coached Rose in college at Memphis, but no NBA team has much faith in college coaches anymore.
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