Doug Ferguson, Uncategorized

Bulls Need to Say “Arrivederci” to Vinny

by DOUG FERGUSON

I have been very vocal about my opposition to coaches in all sports being put on the chopping block without at least three years to implement what they want to do. But its clear when a team blows a 35 point lead with about 18 minutes to go your plan will never work regardless of how long the coach has to put it in place.

I live in the Chicago and I will be the first to say that this decision has been a long time coming. If this was a one time thing for Vinny I would be completely on his side as I was when he had his timeout fiasco last season. Everyone makes mistakes. This is more than a mistake though. One has to ask themself “When do I know when a coach needs to go?”. Most of the time it is deeper than the common answer that one will hear. Not in this situation though. The answer is when their team gives up on them and there is no other explanation for what happened last night other than just that.

I am not claiming to be an NBA caliber coach but through coaching moves alone I could hold a lead that big with my reserves. Furthermore, getting beat by Ime Udoka no matter how much you are up is inexcusable.

This was the first time I have watched a Bulls game in over a month because frankly they have played themselves into virtual irrelevance already this season. This is yet another reason that Vinny needs to take his sweet hair and go be a model somewhere. The Bulls had big expectations this season. I never expected them to hoist a trophy in June or anything but mainly I expected them to have the type of season that would make someone like Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh come to town in free agency to become a REAL contender. I know if I were a free agent of any caliber I wouldn’t go near any team coached by Vinny Del Negro.

In truth I was only watching the Bulls/Kings game because I planned on doing a story about Tyreke Evans vs. Derrick Rose being a battle of the point guard of the future. Who knew I’d be watching a historical event. The Bulls have assistants on their staff (most notably Bernie Bickerstaff) who are very seasoned and prepared (more than Del Negro actually) to lead a young NBA team, at least for the rest of the year.

I’m having visions of a summer not too long ago when the Bulls heavily courted both Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Both loved Chicago but weren’t convinced that the Bulls were on the path to becoming a winner. The Bulls lucked out on that one but only through the sheer bad fortune of the players involved. I don’t think lightning will strike twice though. Heck, they even have a punchers chance of acquiring Lebron James for God’s sake. If they think any player in their right mind would want to play for Vinny Del Negro at this point they should be considered among the biggest laughing stocks in pro sports right along side their baseball neighbors the Chicago Cubs.