Chicago Bulls
Nov 21, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulls Are Thankful For: Tom Thibodeau
It seems, well at least lately, that every time the Bulls are brought up it has to do with an injury to another key player.
In spite of those injuries, the Bulls have thrived and competed because of the culture and coaching that head coach Tom Thibodeau has cultivated. The Bulls fans and organization should be thankful to have a coach who has been able to work past as many obstacles as he has. In a sense, Thibodeau has been the exact opposite of Vinny Del Negro, the coach who preceded him. Where Del Negro failed to maximize rosters loaded with talent, Thibodeau has navigated through the eastern conference with injury-ravaged rosters that were led by guys like Nate Robinson, DJ Augustin and most recently, Aaron Brooks.
In addition to utilizing players nobody wanted, Thobodeau has also been masterful in developing young players in the absence of veterans. Thibodeau is known for not using rookies often, but once those rookies enter their second and third years in the league, they are prepared for big moments and produce. Examples of players like this during the Thibodeau era are endless: Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, and more recently, Nikola Mirotic.