Bryson Graham's introductory presser showcased what type of executive he plans to be. What potential head coaching candidates fit with Graham's statements about team-building?
To say Bryson Graham has a lot of work to do would be an understatement. The Bulls new VP of Basketball Operations has to hire a GM, a head coach and prepare for the May 10th NBA Draft Lottery and the ensuing draft. Chicago has yet to name a GM, although there has been plenty of smoke around Boston Celtics Assistant GM Dave Lewin being a name to monitor for the Bulls vacant GM role.
While we have at least one rumored name in the GM search, Chicago's head coaching search seems much less certain, with no concrete rumors so far outside of some Tom Thibodeau rumblings.
Today we decided to take a look at some potential head coaching candidates who on paper, bring some of the same things to the table as Bryson Graham does in terms of being young, first-timers (in leadership roles in the NBA ranks). If Chicago wants to continue to add young, fresh voices to the room, these are some of the stronger (and bolder) names to consider.
Tony Dobbins
If you don't know Tony Dobbins now, you will one day, as all accounts make him sound like a future NBA head coach should he wish to go that route one day. Dobbins hasp been described as “one of the best people you’ll ever be around,” by Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who credits Dobbins' patience and calm demeanor for helping him through his lengthy injury rehab this season.
Dobbins is a former player himself, but is a more soft spoken coach rather than an "in your face" type. His ability to always stay calm and connect with players make him invaluable on Joe Mazzulla's staff in Boston. Those same qualities would make the 44-year old Dobbins a home run hire as the new head coach in Chicago.
Rajon Rondo
This one is probably a bit of wishful thinking, but would be very interesting should it be a legitimate possibility. Rondo--a Chicago Bull during the 2017 season--is one of the best playmakers to ever grace an NBA floor.
Rondo doesn't have any head coach at the NCAA or NBA level, so it would be quite a jump even considering his 7,584 career assists and incredible basketball IQ. That being said, there are reports he may be considered for the New Orleans Pelicans opening. Considering his somewhat tumultuous tenure in Chicago, it is unlikely Rondo gets the Bulls head coaching gig, but the combination of his lack of traditional coaching experience and familiarity with the fan base would make him at the least, an exciting hire.
Dusty May
May is the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who recently won the national championship. He led a Wolverines team that finished 1st in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and 4th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency per KenPom.
He is known as a very flexible coach, who adjusts his systems to his personnel rather than the other way around. May doesn't try to fit a square peg into a round hole so to speak. His flexibility extends to how he treats his players, who has referred to before as "partners," saying that you need to "meet people where they're at."
His ability to listen to what his players prefer first and foremost would make him an interesting hire for a Bulls team that is trying to establish a more collaborative team culture.