Sunday, December 20, 2009

Vinny Del Negro - Be Like Mike

Vinny Del Negro is not a great x's and o's coach. He botches timeouts. He routinely draws up 'interesting' set plays out of timeouts. He often appears confused. His offenive schemes revolve around forcing contested jump shots, which sounds exactly like defensive schemes. The phrase "in over his head" accompanies most criticisms. But he's working with an incomplete team, with no three point shooting (last in 3p attempts, last in 3p made, 28th in 3p fg%, at .294) and still no low post scorers. But VDN should not be fired. Not now and not this summer.

Del Negro's history suggests that when the games matter most, he's able to get the most out of his players. Everyone remembers the first round series against the Celtics. But to get into the playoffs, the Bulls went 18-11 after the all star break, including a 12-4 run to close the regular season. And the past week, with a virtual bonfire under their head coach, the Bulls have played hard, unified basketball. They put forth a sturdy effort against the league's best team, then beat the streaking Knicks and Hawks after facing large 1st quarter deficits in both games. When it's do or die time, the Bulls under Del Negro by and large do. And the guy who many suggest as a Del Negro replacement? He dies. Remember this?
2008-2009 Playoffs: Western Conference First Round - Game 4
Denver Nuggets: 121
@ New Orleans Hornets: 63

Recent history also favors teams who let first-time coaches grow and handle adverse situations. Doc Rivers, for example, was criticized even more harshly for his poor coaching ability, and almost universally blamed for his team's failure. What happened? He learned how to deal with tough situations, losses and low energy. He picked up experience along the way, and when he finally got a real team, he guided them to a championship.

A better role model for Del Negro might be Mike Woodson. A first-time head coach, Woodson's first three years with the Hawks were atrocious (13-69, 26-56, 30-52). Like Del Negro, Woodson has had a young core of players that he's developed. He could have easily been replaced after three seasons in the East's cellar. But he's been given time to grow with the same core of players, developing them and developing the team into one that could contend for a conference title. He's provided a stable culture where young players like Josh Smith can learn, develop and fulfill his considerable promise. Now in his sixth season, Woodson's Hawks are contenders in the East and have a bright future ahead of them.

More than anything else, the Bulls need a culture of stability and consistency where their young core can grow together. If Bulls' management feels the need to make a hire, it should be for an assistant coach who can help design some offensive creativity. But as these last three games suggest, the Bulls haven't quit on Del Negro. If anything, it shows that they have faith in him. The management and fans should too; at least see what he can do with a full team. The Bulls have had five coaches this decade. I'd like to see the next decade marked by fewer coaching changes, and more commitment to assessing talent and developing players. And this starts with stability.

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