Del Negro dismisses firing rumors, tries to keep team focused
At the end of Monday's practice at the Berto Center, Bulls general manager Gar Forman and coach Vinny Del Negro talked to each other at midcourt.
Then Del Negro met the media, still representing the team as its head coach, which, of course, means Forman did not fire him.
So the reports on a national Web site that the Bulls plan to fire Del Negro as soon as they find a suitable replacement were not reflected by Forman's actions at the Berto Center Monday.
And since Forman turned down an interview request by gathered media, it was up to Del Negro to turn back the reports and look ahead to Tuesday night's game against the Indiana Pacers.
"It's funny to me," Del Negro said. "There is nothing to say. You have all these people who have rumors, and they all have their sources. But it is just not accurate."
Del Negro said the continuing reports about his job status are a nuisance at best.
"I don't have time to deal with rumors," Del Negro said. "I talk to Gar and Pax (vice president John Paxson) every day and have practice every day. My focus is getting the team ready for tomorrow against Indiana."
While working under such conditions would be difficult for most people, Del Negro said he is not bothered by the reports.
"Not as much as you would think," Del Negro said. "It is a little frustrating because I know how hard the staff works. You are judged on wins and losses and I am not pleased where we are at. We have let a few slip away. We need to play better and do so more consistently. But I don't let (rumors) affect myself or our team."
The Bulls are coming off an impressive victory Saturday against New Orleans that proved they are capable of beating competitive teams. The return of forward Tyrus Thomas made the offense more active and supplied a some inside defensive assistance for Joakim Noah.
The Bulls have a schedule over the next two weeks in which six of the next eight games could be considered winnable, especially now that they are healthy.
If the Bulls get closer to .500 (they are 11-17 right now) Del Negro's future for the rest of the season would seem more secure.
Given the opportunity, Del Negro did not defend his efforts as coach, a job he has had for a year and a half with no prior experience to call upon.
"I can toot my own horn but that doesn't do anything," Del Negro said. "I know the development of the players. There is still a lot of work to be done. It is a process. We are not that far off. There are lots of things that are positive.
"Our expectations are we need to play better," he said. "As long as my team is working and getting better, good things will happen."
Pacers @ Bulls
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: This is the Bulls' first matchup of the season against the Pacers (9-20), who have been slow to show improvement under third-year coach Jim O'Brien. Following back-to-back 36-win seasons, Indiana is just 3-12 on the road and lost 114-80 at Miami on Sunday. Leading scorer Danny Granger (24.4 ppg) is out with a foot injury. PF Troy Murphy is next on the scoring list at 14.1 ppg, followed by SF Mike Dunleavy and SG Dahntay Jones with 12.7 ppg each -- Mike McGraw.
Next: Thursday vs. Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills, 2 p.m.>