For the first time since he was fired in 2015, Tom Thibodeau will return to the United Center to coach against the Chicago Bulls, but the team isn't exactly welcoming him back with open arms.
According to the team, they are not planning on honoring the former head coach with a video during Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That honor, which has been extended to Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Pau Gasol this season, will not be extended to Thibodeau, who was fired by the team in the summer of 2015 after five seasons at the helm.
During his time with the Bulls, the team posted the best record in the Eastern Conference in the 2010-11 season and helped Rose win the MVP award that season. After the Bulls went 50-32 in the 2014-15 season and lost in the second round of the postseason, Thibodeau was let go by the Bulls as they opted to hire Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Despite the decision not to honor him, Thibodeau is still looking forward to taking his spot on the visitor's bench at the United Center.
"It's always great to come back," he told media after shootaround Tuesday. "Obviously I had an opportunity this summer with Team USA, but when you come back, it's a lot of fond memories being here. So I'm looking forward to it."
