The Chicago Bulls have a head coach who’s revered by a number of the greatest basketball minds on the planet.
Because the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to interchange Darvin Ham this summer time, thrilling names like former NBA participant JJ Redick and the UConn Huskies’ Dan Hurley emerged for Los Angeles.
The Lakers finally employed Redick, however not earlier than an extended and extremely publicized courtship with Hurley ensued, which noticed Los Angeles supply the UConn star coach $70 million over six years.
Hurley had a tricky choice to make. Ought to he go away a possible dynasty at UConn and grow to be the top coach of one of the crucial storied sports activities franchises of all time? Hurley in fact ended up turning down the Lakers’ supply, however not earlier than consulting with a few of his key mates.
A type of mates was Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.
Donovan gained back-to-back titles because the Florida Gators’ coach in 2006 and 2007, so he understands what Hurley goes by proper now. Like Hurley, Donovan was additionally tempted by the NBA after his explosive success on the school stage.
Donovan really signed with the Orlando Magic in 2007 earlier than retiring a couple of days later through a buyout. He coached eight extra years at Florida earlier than turning into the top coach of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in 2015, earlier than becoming a member of the Bulls in 2020.
In response to a brand new report from CT Insider’s David Borges, Hurley sought Donovan’s recommendation earlier than his troublesome choice, and through the dialogThe 2 legends mentioned the variations between the faculty recreation and the NBA recreation, and what which means for all times as a coach at both stage.
“We did not talk about the Lakers scenario or the personnel scenario,” Donovan stated, in keeping with Borges. “I believe Danny wanted to undergo the whole lot he went by. He was going to get to see the internal workings of the Lakers. I do not know something about that … Danny needed to undergo that on his personal.”
“My mindset, the kind of teaching that works greatest for me proper now, is certainly school,” Hurley stated, in keeping with Borges. “I need to have the ability to management my future as greatest I can. I schedule my video games, I decide my gamers, I rent my employees. I resolve how lengthy we’ll apply, when we’ll apply.”
Donovan now has his personal choices to make because the 2024-25 season approaches. The Bulls have put collectively an fascinating roster for Donovan to work with, and time allocation shall be one thing he’ll have to consider many nights between now and the beginning of the season.
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