Chicago Bulls: GM’s comments don’t bode well for Jim Boylen

Some recent comments from the Chicago Bulls new general manager signal a shift might be coming soon.

If you are a Chicago Bulls fan and have been hoping beyond hope that the team will terminate head coach Jim Boylen, you may be getting your wish if some recent comments are any indication.

Immediately following the hiring of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Arturas Karnisova, fans, almost in unison, demanded that his first act be to fire the head coach. Karnisovas has, from that moment, remained diplomatic. He has taken the high-road and only responded with general statements like ‘we’re evaluating all aspects’ at the moment — basically pre-canned talking points.

Boylen, for his part, has seemed to oscillate between being confident in his job security and borderline graveling for another opportunity. Boylen hasn’t spoken much recently, but based on some remarks from newly hired general manager Marc Eversley, Boylen should be very nervous.

Eversley’s hiring was made official yesterday and he did not waste any time firing a subtle warning shot in Jim Boylen’s direction.

When asked specifically about the status of Boylen, like Karnisovas, Eversley toed the line, stating it was too early to make a decision on his future and they want to take some time to evaluate. Again, this is not a surprise for a first time general manager in his introductory press conference.

However, Eversley showed perhaps he has a bit of a shrewd side to him. While it may have entirely been a coincidence, his comments emphasizing his motto of “players first” and creating a “players-first mentality” could not have stood in starker contrast to Boylen’s philosophy that Bulls fans have witnessed over the past couple of seasons.

I can guarantee that there isn’t one Bulls fan who read that quote from Eversley and said “that sounds exactly like Jim Boylen.” In fact, I imagine you read that and thought “yikes, that doesn’t sound good for Boylen.” That’s because it would be impossible to argue that Boylen has been a players’ coach. If anything, his Draconian and antiquated style has alienated most, if not all of his players.

While Eversley can say he wants to take his time and evaluate/observe Boylen — and by all means take all the time in the world — the fact is the end result will be the same. Boylen isn’t the guy. So save yourself some time and cut bait now.