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Chicago Bulls: Five replacements for Tom Thibodeau

By Josh Criswell

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyronn Lue, Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach

Will the Bulls take another chance on a promising young basketball mind with no NBA head coaching experience, as they did with Tom Thibodeau back in 2010?

Well, if the success of the two teams in the NBA Finals is any indicator, it could prove to be a wise decision.

The Finals begin next Thursday, and in a shocking turn of events, both teams are led by first-year NBA head coaches. Sure, each team has star power to say the least; the league’s MVP Stephen Curry leads the Golden State Warriors and the best basketball player on the planet in LeBron James is the unquestioned leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Regardless, the rookie coaching seasons of Steve Kerr for the Warriors and David Blatt of the Cavs are nothing short of impressive. Their success will likely have a domino effect, as teams search to find the next great NBA head coach.

Enter Tyronn Lue.

Not only is Lue a former floor general at the NBA-level, but he is an experienced assistant who has learned from one of the most respected coaching minds in the business in Doc Rivers, and he is currently in the NBA Finals with Blatt and the Cavs.

"“He respects the work that’s required to do the job and he has the gift of being able to verbalize things to players in a straightforward way without being offensive,” Rivers told ESPN. “He sees things in games a lot of people can’t see. He’d see opportunities for us — in games, watching film, observing — and would bring them to me. He has a chance to be very special.”"

Rivers is not the only person who is impressed with Lue’s potential; the growing sentiment around the league is that he is one of the most promising young coaches in the game. Another reason to heavily consider Lue is the fact that he has handled star players well wherever he goes, whether it was LeBron, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin or even the enigmatic Rajon Rondo.

He would be inheriting one of the most talented teams in the league if he went to Chicago, but does he have what it takes to carry the Bulls to the next level?

Only time will tell, but I love the idea of hiring Lue. If they pass on him now, they could very well regret doing so sooner rather than later.

Next: Jeff Van Gundy

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