Deadspin
You know it's a bad sign when you're fired on Christmas Eve, and nobody even bothers to give you the obligatory, "aw, the guy got canned right before the holidays" comments. Yeah, it's safe to say Bulls fans aren't going to miss Scott Skiles all that much.
Many said the team quit on Skiles — particularly Ben Wallace, who totally shouldn't have to play hard, what with that four-year, $60 million deal — but it was rather obvious that it was just a matter of time.
Was there a player revolt in Chicago? We may never know. What you notice with the player interviews is a lack of outrage that Skiles is gone. You hear a few "blame should go around" comments, but not a lot of regret. Mostly you hear players concerned about what this means for their immediate future, as they try and figure out whether or not they're trade bait. If there wasn't a revolt, and there may not have been, few tears were being shed when the cameras showed up for a touching holiday story. If you couldn't get any theatrical tears, there probably aren't many to be had.
It's a little early to figure out Skiles' replacement, but we think it's awesome that Pete Myers is the interim coach. Myers, famously, was the guy who took over Michael Jordan's spot in the lineup after his (second) retirement. Bulls fans are going to start ducking every time they so much as hear his name.
Christmas Present Roundup [Blog A Bull]
Skiles Fired [Indignant Online]
Myers Will Be Stressing Sacrifice]
Comments
maybe the expectations will be a little lower this time around for Myers.
Skiles himself said not to feel sorry for him. "There are a lot of people who get fired at the holidays and they don't have money. I do. So don't feel sorry for me."
Don't forget about the time Pete Myers forget to bring in his lantern after milking Mrs. O'Leary's cow.
And killing all those people on Valentine's Day. Terrible, Pete. Just terrible.
@Rob Iracane:
Or the time he escorted a man and his goat out of Wrigley Field.
Memo to Larry Brown:
You've got some meaningless front office position with a talentless team and the Bulls have a talented roster in need of a coach. Chicago is also one of the 3 NBA teams you have never coached. The next time your phone rings it will be Paxson on the other line.
In other words, make it happen.
Memo to Isiah Thomas: You're next. Hopefully.
For the record, Pete replaced MJ after retirement #1. Let's all hope Isiah becomes available and can "come home" to lead the Bulls. Actually, let's don't.
Anyone remember when he was just a stoned red headed spartan?
threadjack
Clemens' attorney launches his own 'probe' into the Rocket's steroid allegations. OJ Simpson approves.
[sports.espn.go.com]
\threadjack
The man was a straight-up 3-point machine on NBA Jam. He doesn't need this low-level job.
@ArmansCopyOfSwank:
Will this interrupt OJ's search for the real killers?
@jwaves: Pete Myers or Scott Skiles?
@Lisa: No, they're going to help each other out. What we're witnessing is the beginning of a new super duo:the Juice and the Juicer.
Assuming, that is, that they don't kill each other while arguing over which one has to be 'Boy Wonder.' My bet is on Clemens, since steroids have also given him the ability to fit into the smaller codpiece.
@78deville:
If I remember correctly Illinois students threw sugar packets on the floor when MSU came to town.
@ArmansCopyOfSwank:
Good point...but who gets to be Juicegirl? OJ's daughter (can't remember her name)...and Alfred is Ron Goldman, right?
I've had the pleasure of sitting right behind Kirk Hinrich's spot on the Bulls bench a couple of times...Pete Myers just wanders around, smiling like an idiot, happy to be there. So this should be interesting.
Also, Grandma tells a pretty good story about having been his real estate agent for a brief amount of time when he was still relevant as an NBA player. Good times.
I blame Skiles' fall on his waffling with the no-headband rule.
@Rob Iracane: @IsoldmysoultoMilhouseVanhouten: Wasn't Myers working as Bill Wirtz's financial advisor on the side?
I'm just glad that nobody is blaming this on Paxson. After all, Skiles was the one responsible for (1) signing Ben Wallace and letting Tyson Chandler go, (2) trading LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas, (3) drafting such superstars as Joakim Noah and Rodney Carney (in turn traded for Thabo Sefalosha), and (4) refusing to trade Ben Gordon or Deng in a package for Kobe.
/bitter Spartan
//shits pants
Twas the day after christmas and all through Deadspin, barely a creature was stirring, not even Nibbles!
gosh I really dont want to do any work today. Not that it makes it much different from any other day.
@The Legend of Vincent Tremblay: That's not as frightening as hearing back during Grant Hill's rookie year that his finances were being watched over by Marcus Liberty.
Oh and Fire Isiah!
Now he's benching Curry for Lee, which is smart, but gee Noah and Aldridge for Wilson Chandler and Curry! nice job.
How can anyone be fairly athletic, and be a bulky 7 footer, yet be unable to avergage double-digit rebounds!
You mean players revolt when they get cussed out for 48 minutes a game? Get right outta town!
@jwaves: Shoot, I remember when he was a drunk driving Plymouth Pilgrim.
I won't remember Skiles as an above average coach for my Bulls, but as an assassin in NBA Jam: Tournament Edition.
@KittyLitterKing: true dat
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