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NBA Rumors: Tom Thibodeau Headlines the Latest Rumblings

By Maxwell Ogden

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 /
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Apr 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts from the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts from the sidelines in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets Reach Out to Tom Thibodeau

From 2010 to 2015, Tom Thibodeau earned a reputation of one of the NBA’s most respected head coaches. Following tenures as an assistant under the likes of Doc Rivers and Jeff Van Gundy, he led the Chicago Bulls to their greatest success of the post-Michael Jordan era.

Despite increasing Chicago’s win total and making it a round further in the playoffs from 2013-14 to 2014-15, Thibodeau was relieved of his duties this past May.

The Brooklyn Nets recently made a similar change when owner Mikhail Prokhorov re-assigned general manager Billy King and fired head coach Lionel Hollins. Nothing is imminent, but the Nets are in the process of searching for replacements.

According to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News, Brooklyn has reached out to Thibodeau during its search to fill its head coaching vacancy.

Thibodeau has a coaching pedigree that could pique Prokhorov’s interest.

In five seasons with the Bulls, Thibodeau won 64.7 percent of his regular season games and made three trips beyond the first round of the playoffs. He reached the Conference Finals in 2010-11, which just so happens to be the only full season during which he had a healthy Derrick Rose.

Thibodeau never let Chicago drop below 45 wins, which was both beneficial and detrimental to the future of the organization. For instance, the Bulls’ one-sided trade of Luol Deng suggested an attempt at tanking, but Thibodeau kept Chicago on the winning track.

Should this rumor hold true, the hope in Brooklyn would be that Thibodeau could be the man to help the Nets become a consistent contender in the Eastern Conference—just as he made the Bulls.

Next: Red Flag in Trade Talks

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