After taking some time from the negotiating table this summer, the Chicago Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau have resumed talks about a long-term extension.
The Bulls have been standouts in Thibodeau's first two seasons, leading the league in wins during the regular season both times. Thibodeau was Coach of the Year after his first season and finished second last season.
Somehow talks of a negotiation got lost, but according to Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com the two sides are back at work on an extension:
Reports surfaced last season that Thibodeau was unhappy he did not have an extension secured. Forman then appeared on "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" on ESPN 1000 and stated that talks had begun before last season and would resume after the season.
Thibodeau and Forman did not immediately return phone messages.
Bulls players, notably Derrick Rose, have been vocal in support of their coach. While Thibodeau has a hard-charging mentality, Bulls players respect the way he prepares and appreciate his work ethic.
ESPN analyst and Thibodeau friend Jeff Van Gundy recently told ESPNChicago.com's Melissa Isaacson that Thibodeau's potential new deal "seems like the easiest negotiation of all time."
"If I was (the Bulls) and Tom agreed to what (Oklahoma City's) Scott Brooks got (a reported four-year deal worth approximately $18 million), the whole thing would take 25 seconds," said Van Gundy, who hired Thibodeau as an assistant with the New York Knicks. "It's a no-brainer ... My thing is he's an elite coach and should be paid like one."
Thibodeau has without a doubt become one of the elite coaches and one of the very best in the business. With the uncertainty surrounding Rose's return, he'll have the upcoming season to once again prove how great of a coach he is.
