Draymond Green shared his colorful history with new Bulls assistant coach Taj Gibson.
The Chicago Bulls hired former power forward Taj Gibson to join head coach Tiago Splitter's staff on September 15, one day after the 41-year-old announced his retirement from the NBA.
Gibson played eight seasons with Chicago, averaging 9.4 points per game during his time with the team including 13 points per game in the 2013-2014 season.
The former USC Trojans star is known for his kind-hearted demeanor off the court, but he also has a mean streak as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green found out during Gibson's playing days.
Green made a surprising revelation about Gibson on The Draymond Green Show that included the story of how Gibson developed a "vendetta" against him dating back to their college days.
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Chicago Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic 100-92. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Green Faced Gibson at Michigan State
Green revealed that his Michigan State Spartans faced Gibson's Trojans in college, a game that saw Spartans center Goran Suton get in foul trouble. Green was forced to guard the powerful USC big man, which led to a memorable day.
"Taj Gibson is one of the very few players in my career that I asked to switch off of," Green said, saying he "ended (Gibson and DeMar DeRozan's) careers" at USC.
"I gave that brother fits," Green continued. "I think that once I got to the NBA, he had like this inside, anger vendetta towards me. If you know Taj, Taj is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, it's like a switch flips. He's one of my toughest guards that I've ever had to deal with in my career."
Green said he asked Jermaine O'Neal to guard Gibson in the NBA at one point, saying to him, "I cannot get a stop."
Green Wishes Gibson Well as a Coach
Green wrapped up his story with a message of congrats to the Bulls' new assistant.
"So needless to say, Taj, congrats on a great career, it was a pleasure to compete against you. I wish you didn't have that little vendetta against me from college and bust my a-- in the NBA, but it happens to the best of them, big dawg. Appreciate you man, cheers to an incredible retirement, brother."
Gibson, who is 6-foot-9, 232 pounds, began his career with the Bulls after being selected 26th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, and will now have a chance to guide the team that originally chose him.
The Bulls need a mentor for rising star forwards Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis and Gibson seems like the perfect fit. Buzelis has shown a similar mean streak at times, but doesn't have the same physicality Gibson did. Wilson has shown a willingness to get physical, but will need to hit the weights to match Gibson.
If Gibson, Buzelis and Wilson can all get on the same page, the Bulls will have a forward rotation capable of giving many teams fits — including Green's Warriors.
