Thibodeau, Forman Differ on Bulls Letting Adams Go

July 2, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

Most of the time, it’s a good idea not to see how the sausage is made. Whether that sausage happens to be the edible variety, legislation or news coverage (among other processes). And sometimes it is helpful to see precisely how things go down (with the possible exception being the edible variety, which for some of us can have a habit of coming back up).

Erik Murphy (left) and Tony Snell meet the media Monday at the Berto Center.

And so it was Monday (July 1) at the Berto Center in Deerfield, Ill., where media had gathered in anticipation of the Chicago Bulls introducing their two draft picks: first-rounder Tony Snell and second-rounder Erik Murphy.

Upon entering the facility, members of the media were informed the subject of assistant coach Ron Adams not being retained would “be addressed” after the press conference. And the media said OK. No need to spoil the two young newcomers’ introductory party.

And so it was that the two draftees, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Gar Forman sat at a table with a Bulls-themed backdrop and answered questions — none of which had to do with Adams. The press conference ended; they players separated and conducted interviews with a couple of gaggles of reporters (or whatever the grouping is called) while Thibodeau and Forman evaporated.

A member of the Bulls public relation department handed media members a piece of paper titled STATEMENTS REGARDING ASSISTANT COACH RON ADAMS. It read:

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the contract of assistant coach Ron Adams was not renewed for the 2013-14 season.

In making that announcement, Bulls GM Gar Forman said, “We want to thank Ron for everything that he brought to this organization in his role as assistant coach, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. After assessing the situation, it was my decision that this was in the best interest for the Bulls organization.

Commenting on Adams’ departure, Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau said, “Ron is a great friend, an outstanding coach and I will miss him.”

And that was that. Or that was going to be that as far as Bulls management was concerned.

Congratulations to Adrenaline Rush Dancer Nicole B. for being named to the NET10 Dream Team for the Arena Football League’s Arena Bowl..

When the media realized that was all they were going to have from Forman, various voices emerged to protest. There was a petulant voice, another forceful one with more civility attached and others decrying in reasonable tones the semantic shenanigans of “addressing” Adams’ dismissal.

The target of the outcry was Tim Hallam — one of the best, if not the best, PR person in sports. Not that the boiling brouhaha was his fault. He took the media’s message upstairs to Forman. Although there were no puffs of white smoke, word came down that Forman would meet with the media to talk about the Adams affair.

As it turned out, Forman talked around the topic. He shed less illumination than a baby’s night light.

What Forman did not say spoke volumes. What he did say also spoke volumes. Rather than provide clarity, his words spawned speculation.

There was no sign of Bulls president of basketball operations John Paxson, but it’s difficult to imagine any of the Adams scenario could occur without his fingerprints being part of it.

Forman makes the calls on a coach’s assistants? You think Thibodeau likes that? Thibodeau did not address the media, but make a guess. If you answered yes, try again.

The question is not whether there might be splintering of the relationship between Forman and Thibodeau. More like whether it’s a minor fissure, a chasm or the Grand Canyon.

One question left unanswered — because it was not asked — is whether Forman expects Thibodeau, who is under contract, to be coaching the Bulls in 2013-14. Or whether he wants Thibodeau to be doing so. Or whether he might welcome overtures from the Boston Celtics to have Thibodeau exit for a draft pick and/or other considerations.

Adams might not be the only one using the exit door that Forman opened.

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Here is video from Monday’s Bulls happenings at the Berto Center. Unfiltered for your perusal:

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And away we go with a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the tireless efforts of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com ). And thanks also to the fine folks at Sports Illustrated who have compiled their list of the top 50 SI swimsuit models of all time (there are more left for another day or two or three or …):