Reports: Thibodeau, Bulls Fighting Through Off-Court Strife

The Chicago Bulls are producing at a high level on the court, with a 99-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers showcasing all of their strengths and exposing some of Cleveland’s weaknesses, but off the court is a different matter as the team continues to grapple with the possibility that Tom Thibodeau will not be back as coach next season.

That dissolution of marriage between the two sides could come as a result of heavy infighting between Thibodeau and the team’s front office, led by general manager Gar Forman and president John Paxson.

The relationship between the two sides has soured considerably over the past few seasons, and it appears that this could be the inevitable end as the team is reportedly looking to part ways with him after the year.

In a fascinating column Tuesday morning, Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski detailed the way that Bulls players are standing beside Thibodeau, and the overwhelming sense around the team that change is in the offing despite that support:

“As (Derrick) Rose makes an inspired return to a playoff stage that desperately missed him, Thibodeau is pushing closer to the end of his run here. That wasn’t on his mind on Monday after a 99-92 Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers; only winning. Only the opportunity now. Rose is becoming Rose again, slowly, surely, but the progression’s unmistakable. It changes everything for Chicago, except this: Amid the twisted culture of Chicago’s regime – where winning is losing, where success is failure – management can’t wait to rid itself of one Tom Thibodeau.”

There are scathing indictments, and then there is truth napalm. Wojnarowski clearly had the latter in mind as he called out the Bulls’ regime for turning against Thibodeau, and he spent the rest of his column detailing how the team is rallying behind the head coach, and how all of it is likely for naught as this will in all likelihood be Thibodeau’s final postseason with the team.

If this is indeed the end, and if Thibodeau is let go at the end of the season, the question remains this: Why? Why would the front office fire a coach that has such a good bond with the players in the locker room? Is the relationship between the two sides really that toxic that they would be willing to part ways with a coach that is in the top tier of NBA bosses?

If Wojnarowski, and a slew of other reports, are to be believed, then yes. We are at that point where Thibodeau is trying to get to the NBA Finals and win a title even with the threat of the executioner’s axe looming over his neck. It’s a sad state of affairs in Chicago, and it adds a weird bit of finality and drama to what otherwise should be a happy morning in the city.

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