The Chicago Bulls fired head coach Jim Boylen of East Grand Rapids, Michigan on Friday. Boylen had been the Bulls head coach the last two seasons, and had a record of 39 wins and 84 losses for a winning percentage in 123 games of only .317.
The fact that the Bulls are making a coaching change should come as absolutely zero surprise. During the coronavirus pause, the Bulls named Arturas Karnisovas as their executive vice president of basketball operations, and Marc Eversley as their general manager.
Boylen was known for having an old-school approach when it came to coaching technique. He was scrutinized for his tough practices and not connecting with his players, like many other coaches in the National Basketball Association.
Whoever takes over as the Bulls head coach will be able to teach some very strong young talent. Chicago has 25-year-old guard Zach LaVine, who averaged 25.5 points per game in 2019-20, and 22-year-old power forward Lauri Markkanen of Vantaa, Finland as their core group.
There is no doubt that success in Chicago will take time. However in this era of the NBA, most teams are definitely moving toward an approach where coaches emphasize characteristics associated with compassion more than discipline.
In other NBA news, the Memphis Grizzlies will play the Portland Trail Blazers for the eighth and final playoff spot this weekend. The Trail Blazers just need to win one of the possible two games to meet the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. The Grizzlies need to beat the Trail Blazers twice–once on Saturday, and again on Sunday.
