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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Best Options to Replace Monty Williams

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Tom Thibodeau

Until he becomes officially available, officially ranking him doesn’t feel right.

Tom Thibodeau has made the NBA Playoffs in all five of his seasons as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that his time is running out in Chicago.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Bulls are expected to fire Thibodeau.

"In a lot of ways, the Bulls-Thibodeau partnership survived because of Rose. Even now, his stature won’t stop the inevitable parting this spring. The end is coming for Thibodeau with these Bulls – management is obsessed with it."

That’s not blindsiding news.

It’s been reported for months on hand, and the whispers of his potential firing have only grown louder as the season rages on. Not even a deep run in the 2015 NBA Playoffs will guarantee Thibodeau’s job security.

According to Zach Lowe of Grantland, people close to Thibodeau are, “Convinced,” that he will be fired.

"People close to Thibodeau are convinced the Bulls will fire him after this season, though the front office has always played down the tiff in terse public statements."

As for why Thibodeau makes sense, it’s all about defense.

Thibodeau is one of the greatest defensive minds in the NBA today, and Chicago’s consistent dominance on that end is evidence enough. He’s also adapted offensively in 2014-15, albeit with a heavily-criticized short rotation.

The one and only reason Thibodeau isn’t No. 1 is because he is still under contract.

Next: Staying in the Division

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