Budding Bromance? We'll See

Bulls’ coach Jim Boylan is that guy who talks a little too loud, and ends up with spit on his chin.  Still, I kind of like him.

Part of it is a class thing.  Boylen spent three summers after high school on a Cadillac assembly line; that appeals to this former forklift driver.  But I also like Boylan’s approach to coaching—he’s publicly holding his players accountable.  He was quoted in yesterday’s Tribune that his players have “been weak mentally” at times this season, and he wants these baby Bulls, the second-youngest team in the NBA, to be more physical on the court.  That, too, appeals to this fan of Norm Van Lier and Jerry Sloan.  (If you have to ask…)

Does any of the above make Boylen a good coach?  The jury’s still out on that one.  Tuesday, the Bulls had a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter against the Lakers, only to let LA score sixteen straight points in a come-from-behind 118-112 win.  As if that weren’t bad enough, Boylen didn’t call a timeout until the entire lead had vanished, and then some.  He was also slow to bring his starters back into the game.

Boylen defended both decisions in today’s Tribune.  “We’ve got to figure it out,” he said about the ability to close out games when leading.  And he wouldn’t back down on keeping his second-string in for twelve of those sixteen straight points.  “We’re going to develop that second group, and we’re going to have a bench here in Chicago.”  Come hell, high water or LeBron James and the Lakers.

Boylen’s comments could indicate a stubbornness not conducive to winning basketball; that’s what the jury has to decide.  But I’ll give Boylen this, he knows what’s at stake here.  “I’m the head coach and I’ll take responsibility for the fourth quarter.  I’ve got to do a better job getting our guys to understand winning basketball.”

When was the last time Bears’ coach Matt Nagy ever said anything so direct?