Only Bulls' future Boylan is worried about is right now
Some might see Bulls coach Jim Boylan as a sympathetic figure.
The guy waited 15 years to become an NBA head coach and now finds his job security tied to a bunch of players who couldn't even stay competitive with the 12-29 Memphis Grizzlies during Monday's 104-90 loss.
At one point in the second half, Boylan complained that Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni was all the way on the court giving instructions to his team.
Referee Tom Washington almost rolled his eyes in response, as if to say, "Shouldn't you be trying to get your guys to play a little harder?"
Well, Boylan is worried about getting the Bulls to deliver a more consistent effort, and his message Tuesday was that he's ready for whatever challenges this job presents.
"I'm honored to be coaching in the NBA," Boylan said at the Berto Center. "I love my job and I'm not afraid of the difficulties or controversies that go with it. I'm enjoying it.
"Anytime I don't enjoy it, I just kind of take a deep breath and say, 'This is a dream job for me. I'm just going to have fun with it and work as hard as I can, do the best I can.' "
These days, all the encouragement Boylan needs is a glance at the Eastern Conference standings. For all their disappointing play, the Bulls are just 2 games behind No. 8 seed Indiana and host the Pacers tonight at the United Center.
"One thing you always want to try to have is hope, and there's certainly hope," Boylan said. "The East is not running away from anyone.
"We're going to do whatever we can to get ourselves back into the thick of it. If not this week, then next week. If not next week, then the week after that. We're just going to keep fighting, and no one's going to stop us from doing that."
One thing that can't be denied is the Bulls have gotten better since Boylan took over as head coach on Dec. 28.
When Scott Skiles was fired, the Bulls had a 9-16 record, then lost once with Pete Myers in charge.
The Bulls are 7-7 under Boylan and about to begin a four-game homestand. Tonight's meeting with the Pacers also marks the midpoint of the season.
Since Boylan is an interim coach and not guaranteed to keep the job beyond this season, his players basically hold his coaching future in their hands.
"We're trying to turn this thing around for all of us," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "We're all in this together. Obviously, if our team has success and turns this around and salvages the season, it's definitely going to help him as well as all of us. So there's kind of a desperation to turn this around for everybody."
Also, nobody really knows what it will take for Boylan to keep the job into next season. Do the Bulls need to make the playoffs? Do they need to make the playoffs and finish above .500?
How much will team performance even dictate whether general manager John Paxson and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf hire Boylan permanently?
For now, there is no way of knowing. But Boylan does think his working relationship with Paxson is going well. Boylan has been with the Bulls as an assistant coach since the 2004-05 season.
"I don't think the patience is running low upstairs," Boylan said. "I met with John this morning and we had a great conversation. He's behind me and he's behind the team.
"Whether I get another shot or whether I'm a head coach for 10 more years, it's always going to be trying to get guys to play consistently. In the NBA, the season is long; there are peaks and valleys. You've got to find ways to motivate your team."
The Bulls found little motivation in Memphis, but they do realize everything that's at stake.