Chicago Bulls: Latest rumored head coaching favorites to replace Boylen

5. Ime Udoka

Out of all available candidates, current Sixers assistant Ime Udoka is the top guy to watch for the Bulls. He seems to be the overwhelming favorite to land in Chicago, according to Tom Haberstroh, and NBC Sports Insider.

Udoka would be a phenomenal hire for the Bulls, and has long been rumored someone to keep an eye on for when Boylen was ultimately fired.

Back in September of 2019, Udoka told the media a little more about his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Udoka mentioned that, during his seven years with the Spurs, Gregg Popovich put him in charge of creating a defensive strategy for eight or nine teams, specifically.

First of all, to be trusted by Popovich for such a huge responsibility says a lot about Udoka. That is quite the weight to carry on his shoulders. But, it worked. Udoka was part of the 2014 championship team that beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

For the last year, Udoka has been the Sixers’ main assistant and could be in line for either a promotion in Philly, depending on Brett Brown’s future, or he could end up being a target of the Brooklyn Nets as well (per Shams Charania of The Athletic).

Udoka has told NBC Sports Philadelphia that one of his main points when it comes to defense is to “make them feel you,” in reference to the opponent. Obviously, Boylen tried hammering the defensive side of the ball, but was quite out of touch with his players.

Udoka would be someone the players could trust; he’d bring a different type of feel to the locker room. If the Bulls ended up with Udoka, fans, players and the organization should be thrilled.