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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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Ime Udoka, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach

You may find yourself asking, ‘who is Ime Udoka?’

If you are not a fan of the Spurs, you likely have never heard the name before, minus the hardcore NBA fans who know all details of the constantly rotating coaching carousel.

In breaking down why the Bulls would take a chance on such an unproven commodity, all you need to do is take a look at the coaching tree from which he hails. Of course, that is of legendary coach and five-time NBA champion Gregg Popovich.

Assistants who have learned under Popovich are extremely popular when it comes time for head coaching searches. The latest coach to branch out, Steve Kerr, has led the Warriors to the NBA Finals in his first year on the job, and there are many other coaching success stories that got their start in San Antonio.

Udoka is a coaching option that may not have the most NBA experience as a player, as he was only consistently used in four NBA seasons of his 12-year professional basketball career, with the majority of his career being spent playing abroad.

His final playing destination with the Spurs, however, transformed Udoka from an NBA journeyman to a legitimate head coaching option in just three short seasons.

Next: Mike D'Antoni

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