Right or not, Paxson's job safe for now
Bulls general manager John Paxson's job probably is safe, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
The Bulls remain a mess even after Tuesday night's 103-94 victory over Atlanta. The season will be considered an embarrassing mess even if they surge improbably into the playoffs.
Jerry Reinsdorf likely is looking for any excuse that makes Paxson a non-issue because there's no way the Bulls/White Sox chairman wants to even ponder hiring a new general manager.
Reinsdorf's nature is to risk dismissing a loyal employee a year too late than a year too early, and Paxson is a longtime loyal organization man.
But unless Reinsdorf is in total denial, he has to wonder just a bit whether Paxson is the right man for the job.
Like everyone else around here, Reinsdorf appreciates Paxson. Heck, even I appreciate Paxson, who hit the shot that clinched the Bulls' 1993 NBA title.
But the past isn't the potential issue. The future is. Paxson's image isn't. His performance as general manager is.
Let's face it. If he weren't John Paxson, he would be an easy fire.
The best thing Paxson has going for him is Reinsdorf dislikes only one thing more than having to dismiss a GM, head coach or manager he has bonded with.
Reinsdorf dislikes even more being forced to fill one of those positions with someone from outside his comfort zone.
Everything Paxson did to provide fans with hope as recently as a year ago now makes this motley crew of unprofessional Bulls appear hopeless.
Scott Skiles, whom Paxson hired to coach, is receiving $6 million to not coach. Skiles clearly failed in his mission to create a winning culture that would endure with or without him.
Meanwhile, the roster Paxson assembled -- players who allegedly developed character while playing for successful college programs -- is filled with dubious characters.
Sad to say, the Bulls have started to resemble the team Paxson inherited from Jerry Krause.
Consequently, the inclination today is to perceive Paxson as a broadcaster who became an NBA general manager more than an NBA general manager who happened to have been a broadcaster.
Reinsdorf has to hope Paxson is the latter because the Bulls are at a pivotal point in their history.
Does this general manager have the creativity to concoct trades? Does he have the judgment to make draft choices? Does he have the overall vision to repair some of his own damage?
Capacity crowds in the United Center notwithstanding, a looming coaching vacancy breeds urgency. In theory, Reinsdorf has two choices: Ease out one of his favorite former players so a new GM can hire the next coach, or commit to Paxson for 3-5 years so Paxson can form a long-term relationship with the next coach.
Reinsdorf, who has had five years to evaluate Paxson, tends to lean toward hiring, promoting or keeping people he knows -- like Paxson, Ozzie Guillen, Kenny Williams, Ron Schueler, Hawk Harrelson and Jerry Krause.
Now, though, nobody inside the Berto Center appears to have GM or head-coach credentials. So, is Reinsdorf prepared to at once turn over the club to a general manager unfamiliar to him and live with a stranger as his head coach?
Probably not, which means Paxson is safe for now, whether he should be or not.