Thibodeau's Future?

[crownsy]

Thibs is an idiot -- he's definitely coming back -- to the detriment of his own career.

Why is he an idiot?  The Kings were jerking him around, and it was clear that he was their third choice.  If he didn't withdraw, it's doubtful he would have gotten the job anyway.

Thibodeau is an idiot for staying with Boston. Just like he was an idiot for staying with Jeff Van Gundy all those years in NYC and Houston. He's the one who's doing all the harm to his coaching career. Nobody else.

This is the reason why he'll continue to be unlikely to receive a head coaching offer. He needs to move to a new club ... as an assistant if he can't get a head coaching gig.

Thibodeau is killing his own chances at advancement. That's why he's an idiot.

he interviewed with two teams, he was actively seeking another job. Those teams chose to go in another direction.

What do you want him to do, hold a gun to a GM's head to hire him? and why is going to another team as an assistant coach better than being the assistant coach here?

the celtics are kind of a prestigious organization, being there assistant coach look s alot better than being the raptors assistant.

HE's made it quite clear he wants a head coaching job, he hasn't been offered one.

[Who]

Tom Thibodeau has been trying to get a Head Coaching job since his final years in New York. The Don Chaney job, the one where he got passed over for. That's what 8 years ago? He's been trying for a job ever since then, and he's failed ever since.

Thibs has improved his reputation as well as humanly possible here in Boston. There's nothing left for him to do, or to prove, here. In contrast, by moving to a new club, he can reinforce all the positive things people think may be true about him and improve his reputation exponentially.

Moreover, he needs to make some friends. The man has no friends. He has no Ed Stefanksi (Jordan), no Presti (Carlesimo), no Ferry (Brown), no Bird (Carlisle). He needs to build connections with current + future front office personnel because he quite simply has none at this moment in time. Nobody is willing to go out on a limb for him and that's unlikely to change any time soon.

All that time he spent in NY and Houston, and there's nobody there who'll go to bat for him. Plus here in Boston, it looks unlikely that there will be any new GMs being generated in the near future, so no connections here either (outside of Danny). Moving to a new team allows him to build those connections. Staying in Boston does not.

Thibodeau has already done as much as he can in Boston. Staying hurts his chances at advancement.

[Chris]

Thibs is an idiot -- he's definitely coming back -- to the detriment of his own career.

Why is he an idiot?  The Kings were jerking him around, and it was clear that he was their third choice.  If he didn't withdraw, it's doubtful he would have gotten the job anyway.

Thibodeau is an idiot for staying with Boston. Just like he was an idiot for staying with Jeff Van Gundy all those years in NYC and Houston. He's the one who's doing all the harm to his coaching career. Nobody else.

This is the reason why he'll continue to be unlikely to receive a head coaching offer. He needs to move to a new club ... as an assistant if he can't get a head coaching gig.

Thibodeau is killing his own chances at advancement. That's why he's an idiot.

Why move to a new team?  I'm assuming that you're suggesting Thibs would be closer to a head coaching position if there was a coaching change.  However, if the team he moved to was poor enough to warrant a coaching change next season, there's also a strong possibility that Thibodeau's star would lose some luster.

The guy has a level of comfort here.  He'd leave for a better opportunity, but I don't see why he'd make a lateral move.

I agree.  And I really think if he is not directing one of the top 2 or 3 defenses in the NBA, his stock plummets, since he does not really have the type of dynamic public persona which convinces GM's to hire guys as head coaches.  So if he goes to a lesser team, then he likely won't even get those interviews that he has been getting.

[GaBerkowitz]

What is it with this NBA trend to hire re-treads and ex players over seemingly more qualified assistant coaches?

To answer my own seemingly rhetorical question, I think the qualities that differentiate between a good and bad NBA coach are a quite more nuanced then just being a superb X's & O's coach, or in Thibs case a defensive specialist.

What makes a good NBA coach first and foremost is the respect of the players.  I think this is where Doc flourishes.  The players love playing for him, and believe in what he is telling them.  Even in 06-07 when we dropped all those games in a row, there was very little dissension in the ranks and I think Doc needs to be credited for that.  I am not sure how Thibs stacks up here.  Clearly he has the basketball IQ to make it as a coach, but do the players respect him as they would a former NBA player, or a coach with a quantifiable record of success in a previous head coaching gig?  I am not sure.

As a coach Doc clearly has downfalls, but one thing he has going for him, is that his players love playing for him?  This I believe is one of his greatest assets as a coach.  I am not sure I can envision Thibs as a head coach commanding such respect from players.  Maybe the man is just always going to be a great assistant coach.  No shame in that.

[crownsy]

Tom Thibodeau has been trying to get a Head Coaching job since his final years in New York. The Don Chaney job, the one where he got passed over for. That's what 8 years ago? He's been trying for a job ever since then, and he's failed ever since.

Thibs has improved his reputation as well as humanly possible here in Boston. There's nothing left for him to do, or to prove, here. In contrast, by moving to a new club, he can reinforce all the positive things people think may be true about him and improve his reputation exponentially.

Moreover, he needs to make some friends. The man has no friends. He has no Ed Stefanksi (Jordan), no Presti (Carlesimo), no Ferry (Brown), no Bird (Carlisle). He needs to build connections with current + future front office personnel because he quite simply has none at this moment in time. Nobody is willing to go out on a limb for him and that's unlikely to change any time soon.

All that time he spent in NY and Houston, and there's nobody there who'll go to bat for him. Plus here in Boston, it looks unlikely that there will be any new GMs being generated in the near future, so no connections here either (outside of Danny). Moving to a new team allows him to build those connections. Staying in Boston does not.

Thibodeau has already done as much as he can in Boston. Staying hurts his chances at advancement.

what about the fact that his current head coach has mentioned multiple times that in the near future he wants to be with his family and will be taking time off from basketball?

Couldn't you argue he is in the drivers seat to land the  most prestigious coaching job in the NBA within the next 2-3 years?

Why would he jeopardize that if as you say its all about connections? he has great connections From all accounts with this organization.

Why would he move away from those roots if he has surmised that Doc isn’t going to be around much past the next two year window (which is what I assume as well.)

[RAcker]

Good news.  Glad to see him return. 


With the possible (well needed) turnover that should take place on the bench, it would be good to keep the turnover in the staff to a minimal. 

Oh, please don't say turnover.  I can't take another year like the last in that department.   

[Who]

I'm sorry, I'm annoyed at Tom Thibodeau.

If he wants to be a Head Coach, be about that. If he wants to be an Assistant Coach in a great home here in Boston, be about that. Just don't try to both at the same time because you're costing yourself your true dream, if in fact his dream is to be the head honcho somewhere.

Thibodeau would have had a head coaching gig a long time before now if he didn't stay with JVG for all those years, and he's repeating the same mistake all over again here in Boston ... it drives me nuts!

[Chris]

I'm sorry, I'm annoyed at Tom Thibodeau.

If he wants to be a Head Coach, be about that. If he wants to be an Assistant Coach in a great home here in Boston, be about that. Just don't try to both at the same time because you're costing yourself your true dream, if in fact his dream is to be the head honcho somewhere.

Thibodeau would have had a head coaching gig a long time before now if he didn't stay with JVG for all those years, and he's repeating the same mistake all over again here in Boston ... it drives me nuts!

No offense, but I think you are being incredibly naive.  I think there is a reason why he has interviewed for so many head coaching jobs and never gotten one.  And I feel confident that the only thing that would have changed if he had left his two most high-profile assistant jobs would be that he would have fewer interviews.

[crownsy]

I'm sorry, I'm annoyed at Tom Thibodeau.

If he wants to be a Head Coach, be about that. If he wants to be an Assistant Coach in a great home here in Boston, be about that. Just don't try to both at the same time because you're costing yourself your true dream, if in fact his dream is to be the head honcho somewhere.

Thibodeau would have had a head coaching gig a long time before now if he didn't stay with JVG for all those years, and he's repeating the same mistake all over again here in Boston ... it drives me nuts!

No offense, but I think you are being incredibly naive.  I think there is a reason why he has interviewed for so many head coaching jobs and never gotten one.  And I feel confident that the only thing that would have changed if he had left his two most high-profile assistant jobs would be that he would have fewer interviews.

I tend to think that as well, and it makes me wonder what in his personality does not impress GM's with jobs to hand out when it comes to interviews.

[Who]

Crownsy,

I don't think Doc leaves this job anytime in the near future. I expect him to be here, at a bare minimum, for as long as this team is a title contender.

Thibodeau does have good relationships here in Boston. But who from this current front office is getting a GM's job in the next few years elsewhere? Morey and Wallace have only just left, and I haven't seen any of the remaining guys linked with GM posts around the league. If there was a top guy here who would be getting a GM's job in short order, then I'd think it's worthwhile for Thibodeau to stay, but I don't see where that's coming from.

[footey]

I just hope Thibs isn't the next Jimmy Rogers: Great assistant coach, lousy HC.

[Chris]

I'm sorry, I'm annoyed at Tom Thibodeau.

If he wants to be a Head Coach, be about that. If he wants to be an Assistant Coach in a great home here in Boston, be about that. Just don't try to both at the same time because you're costing yourself your true dream, if in fact his dream is to be the head honcho somewhere.

Thibodeau would have had a head coaching gig a long time before now if he didn't stay with JVG for all those years, and he's repeating the same mistake all over again here in Boston ... it drives me nuts!

No offense, but I think you are being incredibly naive.  I think there is a reason why he has interviewed for so many head coaching jobs and never gotten one.  And I feel confident that the only thing that would have changed if he had left his two most high-profile assistant jobs would be that he would have fewer interviews.

I tend to think that as well, and it makes me wonder what in his personality does not impress GM's with jobs to hand out when it comes to interviews.

To me, there would be two red flags.  First off, he is just boring.  He is kind of like Bill Belichick...but without the cockiness.  If a GM wants a coach who will work with the media, he is not your guy.

But the other worry I would have about him is that his success has come from his attention to even the most minute details.  Unfortunately, that is not what makes great head coaches.  Great head coaches are managers.  They may not be great with the details, but they know how to manage those people who are, and get everyone working together.

Thibodeau might be good at that, but he has never shown it (and to be fair, he hasn't had the opportunity to), and if I were a GM, I would feel more comfortable hiring the guy who has shown he knows how to be a good manager in the past, or the guy who they feel has a dynamic personality that can work the media, and deal with players personalities.

[Who]

I think it's very valuable for GM's to have a past relationship with first time head coaches, especially guys who are assistants. It allows them the opportunity to have seen how hard the coach works, how he relates to the players, and how good his game plan and understanding of the game is.

I think the certainty of that knowledge is better than the knowledge you gain from someone trying to impress you in an interview.

I think Tom Thibodeau would stand a much better chance at getting a Head Coaching job if there were some GM's in the league who had a first hand knowledge of his coaching abilities -- and there isn't. Despite all his years of coaching in the NBA, he does not have that. He needs to develop that.

[crownsy]

Crownsy,

I don't think Doc leaves this job anytime in the near future. I expect him to be here, at a bare minimum, for as long as this team is a title contender.

Thibodeau does have good relationships here in Boston. But who from this current front office is getting a GM's job in the next few years elsewhere? Morey and Wallace have only just left, and I haven't seen any of the remaining guys linked with GM posts around the league. If there was a top guy here who would be getting a GM's job in short order, then I'd think it's worthwhile for Thibodeau to stay, but I don't see where that's coming from.

I dunno man, he's been pretty vocal about at least taking a few years off in the near future to be with his family in orlando.

Also, how long is this window? I'm an optimist and I say 2 years, maybe 3. I think tom is pretty much going to be our coach during the upcoming "hey we still have perk and rondo...lets rebuild!" mode.

[Who]

Crownsy,

I don't think Doc leaves this job anytime in the near future. I expect him to be here, at a bare minimum, for as long as this team is a title contender.

Thibodeau does have good relationships here in Boston. But who from this current front office is getting a GM's job in the next few years elsewhere? Morey and Wallace have only just left, and I haven't seen any of the remaining guys linked with GM posts around the league. If there was a top guy here who would be getting a GM's job in short order, then I'd think it's worthwhile for Thibodeau to stay, but I don't see where that's coming from.

I dunno man, he's been pretty vocal about at least taking a few years off in the near future to be with his family in orlando.

Also, how long is this window? I'm an optimist and I say 2 years, maybe 3. I think tom is pretty much going to be our coach during the upcoming "hey we still have perk and rondo...lets rebuild!" mode.

I just don't believe him. I don't believe Doc.

I think if it were that big of an issue for him, he would have left already.

I think his non-decision is more telling than his words.