Although the Chicago Bulls have won just six of its first 16 games, they remain in the thick of the early season playoff race. Of course, it helps to play in the Eastern Conference, where only four teams have more games than they’ve lost. Realistically, several bottom-feeding teams in the East should revert to normal in the coming months.
For instance, the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers own a combined 8-21 record. The Bucks are somewhat amid a turnaround, while the Sixers have looked hapless without their key contributors. Aside from these former powerhouses, last season’s Eastern Conference runner-up Indiana Pacers have struggled out of the gate, winning six of their first 15 contests. The East is in a state of disarray, but that shouldn’t derail Chicago’s mode of operation.
The Bulls must embrace the future. Two of Chicago’s best players and trade chips, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, are playing fantastic basketball. LaVine is averaging 22.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while cashing in on 51.2 percent of his field goals and 43.2 percent of his triples. This comes after LaVine missed most of last season and didn’t look his usual self when he played.
3. Sam Cassell
Most basketball fans know of Sam Cassell, the longtime journeyman point guard who spent 15 years in the NBA. Cassell was a bit of a late bloomer, earning his first and only All-Star nod in his age-34 season. As for Cassell’s coaching career, the same might ring true. He’s been an assistant since 2009.
Cassell has worked under numerous notable coaches, including Flip Saunders, Doc Rivers, and, most recently, Joe Mazzulla. As an assistant to Flip Saunders in Washington, Cassell was credited with aiding in the development of John Wall. Wall stated the assistant coach was a “big part of his growth” and a “mentor.”
While leading a team is more than just player development, these types of coaches are perfect for rebuilds. Although not a former player like Cassell, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach, Mark Daigneault, a respected player development coach in his own right, has quickly turned the Thunder into a powerhouse. Expecting Cassell to usher the same turnaround would be unlikely, but a coach who’s worked with several NBA Champions is a potential foundational hire.
2. David Adelman
Cassell rings a bell for NBA fans, but Adelman should, too—not necessarily David Adelman, but his father, former player and longtime NBA coach Rick Adelman. On the other hand, David is an up-and-coming assistant who began as a player development and assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Currently, Adelman works alongside Michael Malone on the Denver Nuggets staff. Adelman has been in Denver since 2017, winning a championship with the Nuggets in 2023. Most recently, the younger Adelman led the Nuggets sans Malone in a contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 15. Adelman lost the matchup, but it doesn’t go without mentioning Denver was without Nikola Jokic.
Adelman possesses prior sideline coaching experience and even interviewed with several teams last offseason. Speaking of Jokic, the superstar lamented Adelman as “the next head coach.” Other players have pointed out Adelman’s calm demeanor and his offensive innovativeness. The Bulls should prioritize defense, but brand new offensive mind certainly wouldn’t hurt.
1. Chris Quinn
Most young NBA fans won’t recognize Chris Quinn, nor will older fans. He played in the NBA in the early 2000s but appeared in only 241 games as a backup point guard. Quinn primarily suited up for the Miami Heat, the same team he now roams the sideline for.
Immediately after his NBA career ended, Quinn worked collegiately for Northwestern. It wasn’t long before Quinn made the move to the NBA, working under Erik Spoelstra in Miami. The former NBA guard has been with the Heat since 2014, eventually elevated to Spoelstra’s right-hand man. Quinn has filled in for Spoelstra on three separate occasions and led the Heat to a 2-1 record in such instances.
Prior to Quinn’s first head coaching gig, former Heat stalwart Udonis Haslem praised the assistant, stating that Quinn had “every base covered…to be a successful head coach.” Besides his brief sideline experience, Quinn has worked for a world-class franchise in player development. The Heat are known for maximizing their players’ potential, and Quinn has played a massive role.
