Chicago Bulls: Five replacements for Tom Thibodeau

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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Jeff Van Gundy, NBA analyst and former head coach of the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets

NBA commentators seem to be a popular choice any time head coaching vacancies open, and Jeff Van Gundy is the popular name on the market this year. He is reportedly interviewing for the New Orleans Pelicans’ opening already.

His resume is certainly impressive, even if he has not coached in the league in seven seasons. Van Gundy’s track record as a head coach includes a trip to the NBA Finals in 1999 with the New York Knicks, to go along with making his teams an annual fixture in the playoffs.

He is also no stranger to managing extremely talented players. He coached an all-time great center in Patrick Ewing with the Knicks, and perennial All-Stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady with the Houston Rockets. While he never reached the head coaching pinnacle of winning an NBA championship, he was always regarded as one of the top coaches in the league.

If Chicago hires Van Gundy, they would quite possibly be the most talented team he has ever coached, even topping his 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. It would be interesting to see what he could do with talents like Rose, Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah, as well as a solid core group of role players.

Van Gundy is a top defensive mind, much like Thibodeau, but unlike the former Bulls coach, he is actually approachable; just what Chicago is looking for.

Next: Ime Udoka

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