The Tantalizingly Tardigrade Tom Thibodeau Timeline Tends Toward Tumultuary Tergiversation

by Rohan on May 26, 2010 2:00 AM CDT

The past 24 hours have been confusing, at best, and far less comprehensible than that headline, at worst. Yahoo! Sports reports one thing, ESPN reports another, then Jeff Bower makes a statement completely contrary to everything else we've heard. A chronological run-down of the various reports/speculation/fabrication:

May 17th, 2010, Monday, 11:18 AM Central

ESPN: Thibodeau, Johnson Emerge

"Sources say Johnson and Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, meanwhile, have emerged as standout contenders in New Orleans in a search that has generated seven interviews to date."

May 21st, 2010, Friday, 12:18 PM Central

NOLA: Thibodeau, Williams Front Runners

"Boston's Tom Thibodeau and Portland's Monty Williams are the two front-runners to become the team's next head coach, according to a league source."

May 24th, 2010, Monday, 5:11 PM Central

Yahoo!: Thibodeau May Get Offer

"Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau has emerged as the frontrunner for the New Orleans Hornets’ coaching job and an offer could be forthcoming in the near future, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Hornets are moving toward formulating an offer for Thibodeau and don’t want to risk losing him to another team with a coaching vacancy."

May 24th, 2010, Monday, 10:36 PM Central

NOLA: Thibodeau Will Get Offer

After completing an extensive head coaching search that involved interviewing eight candidates, the New Orleans Hornets are expected to extend Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau a contract offer later this week to become their next head coach

May 25th, 2010, Tuesday, 10:42 PM Central

ESPN: Thibodeau Offered Contract

The New Orleans Hornets made a formal offer Tuesday to Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau to fill their coaching vacancy, according to sources with knowledge of the talks..

May 25th, 2010, Tuesday, 11:04 PM Central

Jeff Bower: No Contract Offer

"The New Orleans Hornets have not made a formal offer to any candidates involved in the process to hire a head coach. We have had discussions with many impressive candidates.

"We will issue an official update when we have concluded the process and have reached an agreement. Any other information should be considered rumor or unauthorized and unreliable information."

Where Are We Now?

Essentially, the only quibble seems to be about when, not if, Thibodeau will be offered a contract (assuming the ESPN report is wrong). So Bower's correction of the ESPN report isn't the end of the world or anything. The bigger question is: will New Orleans set a deadline for Thibodeau?

Boston could potentially eliminate Orlando from the playoffs tomorrow. Since the Suns evened the WCF at 2-2 last night, the Celtics will actually have two opportunities to end their series before the WCF ends (tonight, and Friday night). The earliest Finals start date is June 1st, meaning Thibodeau would potentially have the weekend to travel to/meet with New Orleans and finalize a deal.

The huge wrench in these plans, of course, is Chicago. Phil Jackson essentially ended his Bulls' candidacy yesterday, before it really began. From the Chicago Tribune yesterday: "What sources have indicated is Thibodeau is interested in listening to a pitch from the Bulls, who have requested permission to interview him." Chicago's other candidates appear to be Elston Turner, Maurice Cheeks, and Lawrence Frank, whom they're "cooling on." It's hard to believe that Thibodeau would not be Chicago's choice from that list. What if the Bulls offer him the exact same contract and promise that they'll be getting him at least one if not two of Bosh/Wade/Lebron?

It's a tricky situation indeed.

Update: May 26th, Wednesday, 1:30 AM Central

Woj: Thib May Cut Deal

Thibodeau isn’t talking, but friends believe he will work w/ NOLA to cut deal if offer made soon; don’t think he will wait for Bulls or NJ.

Big part of equation is respect coaches have for GM Jeff Bower. He’s considered one of most honest, straight up execs in NBA. A great boss.

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Comments

What if we promise Thibodeau

Chris Paul? Methinks that trumps them all, no?

Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003

Falcons are my life,
Falcons are my soul,
I watch them through all the strife,
Until they get that Superbowl.

by Grayson on May 26, 2010 3:06 AM CDT reply actions

I don't see Jackson...

…a current head coach of a NBA Championship favorite, as denying he has an interest in a job as some sort of definitive proof that he’s squashed his candidacy.

In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).

Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.

by tyger1147 on May 26, 2010 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

That's fair

Any way you slice it, CHI is going to contend for Thibodeau I think.

by Rohan on May 26, 2010 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I ran across the boston celtics blog yesterday where they were talking about Thibs to NO. THey sounded pretty convinced he’d leave for the hornets job.
On a side note, when talking about him they referred to him (obviously its how Doc Rivers refers to him officially) as an Associated Head Coach and not merely an assistant coach, which I find quite telling.

by berlinhornets on May 27, 2010 2:48 AM CDT reply actions

Nice, that's really interesting

From what I’ve heard, Boston has interest in bringing in Laimbeer as Rivers’ replacement so even if Rivers leaves, Thibodeau has no guarantee there.

by Rohan on May 27, 2010 3:22 AM CDT up reply actions

The thing with Thibbs is...

We generally think Thibbs isn’t fit as a head coach. Of course, if you end up getting him, we’ll wish him all the best, and actually root for him, since he’s a very, very important part of that championship winning squad. All he lacks, is experience at the helm. He’s had a chance to learn from (in my opinion) a great coach though.

So yeh, interesting off-season this one, even though ours hasn’t even started! ;)

- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz

by Kiorrik on May 27, 2010 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Hello, I am a Suns fan, also root for the Sixers since they are the “home team”. I love Paul, and wished the Sixers hired Thibodeau the last two times they had an opening.

That being said, why would Thibs not want to coach the Hornets? N.O is a great city. CP3 is a legit star. Collison clearly has game and there are some good bigs on the team, but you are fans, you know who they are.

So again I say…why wouldn’t Thibs accept? Is the franchise still up for sale? Any indications that they are going to keep trying to clear pay roll? I guess if I was a coach I wouldn’t want to step into a situation where the team is going for the cheap route, even with some of the players you go.

I really do hope Thibs accepts the offer, I think the Hornets will be a top 4 team in the west next year if he does.

Good luck.

Go Go Gadget Gagne
What if Broad Street Didn't Fight Back? History HAS been made. 5-7-10
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!

by EREX21 on May 27, 2010 7:14 AM CDT reply actions