Will Thibodeau's personality be a problem?

Concerning Tom Thibodeau, believe what you want from whom you want.

The Celtics' assistant head coach is either an awful people person or that characterization is awfully unfair.

Regardless, indications are the Celtics' associate head coach will become the Bulls' next head coach.

Thibodeau in many ways is both an obvious candidate and obvious choice even though he hasn't been an NBA head coach.

Head-coaching experience can be overrated. The Bulls had to hire the best fit - a former head coach, current assistant coach, decorated college coach or LeBron James' pee-wee league coach.

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf prefers someone defense-oriented and defense happens to be Thibodeau's specialty.

For all their star power with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Thibodeau has the Celtics playing terrific team defense.

Thibodeau earned this job after being a career NBA assistant with several teams. At 50 years of age, with his ability to coach defense, working for a winning team, this should be his time.

Again, though, the only question is personality. Some find Thibodeau impossible and others find him just fine.

Whispers in some corners are that Thibodeau is difficult to work with and sometimes even to be around.

When Boston coach Doc Rivers reportedly considered taking a year off from coaching, Celtics management supposedly indicated privately that Thibodeau would not be the man to replace him.

Who knows what was going on there? Perhaps Thibodeau already had let the Celts know he didn't want that job and preferred holding out for a franchise on the way up instead of on the way down.

Regardless, personality is so important in NBA coaching these days. It takes a special type to relate to players, earn their trust and get the most out of them.

Some coaches can do it and some can't. Some can do it only short-term and some can do it long-term.

Guys like Scott Skiles, Doug Collins and Larry Brown are brilliant strategists who wear on players after a couple years.

Meanwhile, Phil Jackson has a way of persuading the best of players to play for him over a long period of time.

Where does Tom Thibodeau fit on the list? The last thing the Bulls need right now is somebody to come in, be abrasive and have to be let go sooner than later.

Of course, this is especially relevant as teams like the Bulls with salary-cap room prepare to pursue the NBA's deep free-agent class.

What is Thibodeau's reputation among premier players? Is he someone they will be eager to play for? Or will he have no impact at all on their decisions?

Naturally we're talking specifically about LeBron James but also about Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and others.

Remember, it always is said that the smartest thing a coach can do is have the team's best player on his side. You know, like Michael Jordan always had Phil Jackson's backside.

Apparently the Bulls believe Thibodeau is enough of a people person to forge that sort of relationship with whomever their best player turns out to be, Derrick Rose or someone new.

It probably won't take long to learn whether they're correct.

mimrem@dailyherald.com