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I hate my cousin Vinny.

posted by Jamie at 4:08 pm.

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The New York Post is reporting today that Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson will be resigning after the February 19 NBA trade deadline. Now, I’ve always liked John Paxson. He played well for the Bulls years ago, and I feel that he’s always had the best interest of the team in heart, which isn’t always true with general managers. Paxson is responsible for drafting Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Kirk Heinrich, Ben Gordon, and basically every player on the roster.

How I miss you, Ben Wallace.

However, although I believe that Paxson has always had the team’s best interests at heart, that does not make up for a lack effectiveness at the general manager position. Paxson’s draft classes over the last 6 years or so have looked tremendous. And on paper, these players seem to have the potential to be the next generation’s all-star players. But, it hasn’t worked out that way. All of these players brought in by Paxson are great collegiate and individual players, but they are not suited to build a great team around. (With the exception of Derrick Rose) Paxson has drafted the perfect team filled with players who could, and probably should, be traded away. (again, with the exception of Derrick who is untouchable by any other team)

You may be thinking, “well if these players have so much potential, then it must be the coach’s fault for not getting everything out of his players.” I completely agree. Last year the Bulls got rid of head coach Scott Skiles. Although he was a good in game coach, he drilled, screamed, yelled, abused, and expected way too much of his players. He drove the team into the ground working them too hard. So now, the Bulls were in need of a new head coach. And what do ya know, Mike D’Antoni is fired from the Pheonix Suns after many great seasons! It’s a sure lock that the Bulls will pick him up with their young up and coming team, right? No. Of course not. Instead, John Paxson hires Vinny Del Negro. A former player who was traded from team to team in his playing days and has ABSOLUTELY NO COACHING EXPERIENCE. That’s right, not a single day of being in charge of a basketball team. He was the former assistant general manager of the Pheonix Suns, but still hadn’t had a minute of on-court coaching experience.

That’s Mike D’Antoni (left) and Vinny Del Negro (right). Think Paxson just got confused on which one he was supposed to hire?

Shockingly enough, he’s done a terrible job coaching the Bulls this year. He has no idea what he’s doing on the court, doesn’t motivate the players, and rarely has a good idea for a last minute play; defensively or offensively. Last week, ESPN’s Bill Simmons proclaimed the Del Negro hiring as the worst coaching hiring of the year, by far.
To quote:
“….it’s more like watching an old person getting ready to go through a metal detector at an airport. Just complete confusion and panic and a lot of stopping and starting and glancing around. I feel bad even making fun of it. Let’s just move on.”

Thats Simmons’ evaluation of Vinny coaching style during a game. Pretty accurate in my opinion.

So after all the bad drafting, poor hiring, and lack of effectiveness, what have we learned? That not only does John Paxson need to go, but he needs to take Vinny with him. Take my advice Johnny boy, trade Gordon and Noah for Amare Stoudemire and then jump ship. It will improve the Bulls, and make people less pissed off at you. Because although it could change the team around completely, Bulls fans will still think you’re worthless but we might have a little more sympathy for you if you leave us with a good taste in our mouths.

Jamie Wood: Jamie is a Junior in Political Science and is debating transferring to any school that offers a fantasy football degree. Ohio State?