Chicago Bulls (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Recent comments from the Chicago Bulls’ Vice President of Basketball Operations has further muddied the waters.
It has been a roller coaster of a season for the Chicago Bulls and their loyal fans. From a disappointing season to a sudden end to basketball operations, to rumors about the future of the franchise’s leadership, it has been a whirlwind, to say the least.
With uncertainty lingering around the future of Gar Forman’s and John Paxson‘s future roles with the team, fans got, what seemed to be, some clarity about a week ago. At that time, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team was prepared to begin talking with candidates to run the team’s basketball operations. It also appeared Paxson would be reduced to an advisory role.
Great! Rejoice Bulls fans — you finally got what you wanted. Paxson and Gar Forman out of the mix and relegated to a role in name only.
Wait, you didn’t think it would be that easy, did you? It never is with the Bulls, which is why it was no surprise that they somehow managed to much up the good news with the latest comments from Paxson. According to another recent report, Paxson is willing to step down if asked to by ownership or the new executive.
If this isn’t another sign of just how dysfunctional this organization is, I don’t know what is. It smacks of a toxic relationship. Everyone knows the Reinsdorfs are loyal to their people, so Paxson’s comments put the organization in a tough spot.
It’s unlikely the Reinsdorfs will outright fire Pax, so if he feels the best thing for the organization is to step down, then do it. Don’t passive-aggressively shift responsibility to the owners who you know are unlikely to do anything about it. All his comments do is put Arturas Karnisovas in a weird position. How will he respond when asked about his intentions with Paxson?
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He knows what the Reinsdorfs think of him. He also knows what the fans think of him. Finally, he has to know him lingering around the organization won’t be good for it. Look, if John Paxson believes his departure is best for the organization then he needs to leave, because he continues to do more harm than good for this franchise.
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