Bill Simmons Doubles Down On His 'Thibodeau Leaving Chicago' Theory
(CBS) On Monday, ESPN media guru Bill Simmons floated the idea of the Grizzlies letting coach Dave Joerger walk and then pursuing Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, followed by Chicago looking to hire Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.
While it was speculation then and remains nothing more than that, Simmons has now doubled down on his belief in that scenario playing out. In a mailbag he published yesterday on Grantland, Simmons reiterated his take.
It should be noted that the first domino in Simmons' theory -- Joerger leaving for Minnesota -- is close to happening.
As I first reported on Monday, (Grizzlies owner Robert) Pera wants to trade for Chicago's Tom Thibodeau and give him a Stan Van Gundy/Pistons-type deal. That's why Pera allowed Dave Joerger, the current Grizzlies coach, to interview for Minnesota's job. Memphis wants Thibs. And Chicago knows that Thibs will always be miserable there after the Ron Adams firing and the Deng trade. So I'm throwing $100 on the following three-transaction parlay: Joerger goes to Minnesota, Thibs gets traded to Memphis for a future pick, Chicago hires Fred Hoiberg to replace him. You watch.
For now, there have been no reports of any team formally contacting the Bulls to speak with Thibodeau. Sun-Times beat reporter Joe Cowley also emphasized in a 670 The Score interview the other day that Thibodeau has little to no desire to oversee the basketball operations department of a franchise at this point in his career. Thibodeau simply wants to coach, Cowley said.
