Who’s Been Steering the Bulls Ship?
Let's talk about the men (and occasionally, the woman) who've had the unenviable task of trying to keep Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman in line. Or, you know, just coaching a basketball team.
The Zen Master and Beyond
We can't talk about Bulls coaches without mentioning the GOAT of coaches, Phil Jackson. This dude was like the Obi-Wan Kenobi of basketball. He brought a level of zen to the court that was unheard of. Under his guidance, the Bulls became a dynasty, winning six championships in the 90s. It's like he could turn water into wine, or, more accurately, Jordan into a basketball god.
But Phil wasn’t the only one who's called the shots in Chicago. There have been some other notable names on the sidelines. Dick Motta, for example, was the coach who drafted Jordan. So, without him, there might not have been a six-peat. And let's not forget Tom Thibodeau, who brought a defensive intensity that was almost painful to watch, but hey, it worked.
The Coaching Carousel
The Bulls coaching position has been a bit of a revolving door over the years. There have been some short-lived stints, some surprising hires, and even a few coaches who you'd probably never heard of before they got the job. It's like the Bulls are trying to find the perfect match, but they keep swiping left.
The Current Captain
As of now, the man at the helm is Billy Donovan. He's got big shoes to fill, but he seems to be doing a decent job of navigating the choppy waters of the NBA. Can he bring another championship to Chicago? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, he's got a tough act to follow.
How to... Bulls Coaching Edition
- How to become a Bulls coach: Be really, really good at basketball, or be really good friends with Jerry Reinsdorf.
- How to survive coaching the Bulls: Have a thick skin, a strong stomach, and a really good therapist.
- How to win a championship with the Bulls: Draft Michael Jordan, surround him with talent, and then hire Phil Jackson. Easy, right?
- How to deal with the Chicago media: Ignore them, or become really good at giving non-answers.
- How to handle expectations: Lower them. Way, way down.
