Is The Tom Thibodeau Era About To End In Chicago?

With

Derrick Rose

‘s latest injury, many think that the Chicago Bulls management has its excuse to let Tom Thibodeau go. Some say they already have a replacement waiting. With what the players have gone through the last four seasons, are we seeing the end of the Thibodeau era in Chicago?

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For the third year in a row, Derrick Rose had surgery on one of his knees. This time, however, the surgery was not as serious as the other two, and he is expected back in 4-6 weeks. Even if he does come back, will coach Tom Thibodeau’s time as Chicago Bulls coach be broken?

For the last few year, rumors swirled around that there was a rift between Thibodeau and the Bulls front office, notably John Paxson and Gar Forman.

Paxson and Forman, of course, have Thibodeau’s future with the Bulls in their hands. Even though all sides deny a rift, the words seem hollow when they are seen together. The silence between Thibodeau and Forman during the NBA Combine was deafening.

The latest reports have the Bulls already with a replacement for Thibodeau waiting.

The Bulls reportedly are targeting former Bulls player and current Iowa State Cyclones head coach Fred Hoiberg.

One thing that counts against Thibodeau is his stubbornness. He works his players hard, and plays every game as if the Bulls are in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Many have called for Thibodeau to lighten up on the players, and I am sure management did too, but Thibodeau just throws out the names of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as players who logged high numbers game after game, as if ALL players can be Jordan and Pippen.

Another problem with Thibodeau is his use of rookies and young players. He abhors using. them. Even Nikola Mirotic, someone who isn’t really a rookie in terms of playing professionally (he’s played professionally since he was 17 years old), has erratic minutes. He’ll play eighteen minutes one game, six minutes the next, twenty a third and three after that.

It is difficult for a player to get into a rhythm when his minutes are all over the place. Thibodeau’s done the same with Tony Snell, and only injuries gave him a chance to play extended minutes. Snell has responded by being a big part of the Bulls offense.

Also, does anyone know where Doug McDermott is? Maybe we need to put his picture on the side of a milk carton.

After a lackluster loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers in January, the Bulls were supposed to have a day off. Of course, Thibodeau, steaming after a bad loss, called for a practice. The players were looking forward to the off-day, and they reportedly weren’t going to practice. Thibodeau might have sensed this, and he canceled practice, instead having a team meeting.

Thibodeau gets defensive whenever anyone brings up minutes. In a recent interview on USAToday Sports, he did not appear to back down from his ways.

"To me, it’s not a big deal. If you coach in this league, it’s part of the territory. They’re going to criticize you for something. You have to stand by what you believe in, and I don’t believe that we lost in the playoffs (last season) because we were out of gas. If you look at what we’ve done the second half of the season (in the past), we’ve always done extremely well the second half of the season. Now you get to the playoffs, and when you’re down a Derrick Rose and you’re down a Luol Deng and you’re down a Joakim Noah, now it’s different. Once you get to the playoffs, now it becomes more equal talent. Maybe we lost because we were shorthanded. That’s the way I look at it."

He is going to do things his way, and no one, not the fans, not the media, not the players and certainly not management will be able to get him to change. Because of that, his time in Chicago may be cut short. If that happens, he may have only himself to blame.

Next: Good News Bulls Fans, Derrick Rose's Season Isn't Over

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