The Chicago Bulls fired Head Coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons. Thibodeau led the Bulls to the playoffs in all five seasons and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. The Bulls were defeated by the Miami Heat 4-1 that year and they never made it back to the Conference Finals. Thibodeau was the 2010-11 NBA Coach of the Year and finished with a 255-139 record with a .647 winning percentage. The Bulls struggled under Thibodeau in the playoffs while he compiled a 23-28 playoff record and was eliminated three times by a LeBron James-led team. Part of Thibodeau’s lack of playoff success was due to Derrick Rose being injured often. Rose appeared in 181 of 394 games that Thibodeau coached. Rose was 2010-11 NBA MVP and was considered the best point guard in the league at one time. The Bulls were 132-49 with Rose and 123-90 without him in their lineup. The Bulls probably would have reached more than one Eastern Conference Finals under Thibodeau with a healthier Rose. Rose appeared in every playoff game this season for the Bulls, but they were eliminated in six games by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even though Rose was healthy, Bulls All-Star Pau Gasol missed two games against the Cavs and the Bulls lost both of those games. Thibodeau never could catch a break in the playoffs and take advantage of a healthy team. Thibodeau helped Bulls Center Joakim Noah turn into a NBA-All Star along with Bulls Guard Jimmy Butler. Thibodeau should find a job very soon in the NBA, with the right roster and healthy players that team has a chance to advance far in the playoffs. Photo Credits: DieHardSport.com, Cleveland.com
