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CHICAGO – John Paxson remains convinced that the Chicago Bulls are on the right track despite one of the worst records in the history of the franchise and that they have the coach they need to Jim Boylen.
Paxson, the top basketball leader in Chicago, said Thursday that he hoped his team would be fighting for a playoff spot next season. He also stated that it was "very possible" for Boylen to obtain a contract extension.
The Bulls went from 27 wins to 22-60 in the second year of their rebuilding. That gave them the fifth winning percentage (.268) in franchise history – the lowest since the 1998-99 squad had a score of 13-37 (.260) after the break-up of the teams. the dynasty in the 1990s.
The 22 wins have been the least for Chicago since the 2001-02 team finished 21-61. And with a 9-32 mark at United Center, Chicago tied New York for the league's worst home record.
"I think our goal next year must be to be on the hunt," said Paxson. "We want to be on the hunt again, that will force us to be healthy, that's the first thing to do."
Chicago is positioned for the fourth pick in the repechage and has about $ 20 million in pay space to add some veterans to join the main players, Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr.
They are safe
Paxson said that President Jerry Reinsdorf had not entrusted his chief executive or general manager Gar Forman with a winning mandate or not, even though they understood "the reality of this case". For now, they are safe, just like Boylen. He had a difficult start and finished on a 17-41 record after being promoted to the assistant coach position when the Bulls sacked Fred Hoiberg.
During his first week, Boylen insisted that the team needed to be in better shape and that its strength needed to be improved. The Bulls lost a record 56 points against a franchise franchise. He used five substitutes and left the starters under control for about 20 minutes. Things came to an end the next day, when he called to practice after consecutive matches and some players responded by mentioning the possibility of a boycott.
Instead, there was a team meeting and a session with coaches and management.
Paxson said he has seen enough to believe that Boylen is the right coach for this team.
"What I saw was his ability to show these guys that he really cares about them," Paxson said. "His goal is to improve them as individuals.I am the first to admit that the first week was like a blast of dynamite.It was a difficult week.What I've seen since is a guy who has taken up this challenge, he has really considered himself a teacher, a guy who wants to be in contact with the players, and sometimes you have to be demanding and hard. "
STAR POWER
Although he recognized the perception that the Bulls were not a well-run organization, claiming that some critics were accurate and others not, Paxson was adamant: Chicago can conquer superstars.
"The first part of this is through the project," he said. "I do not think that Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanen are important players in this league. (…) I think that when we can win again, this city is a draw, this organization is a draw But that's only later. "
LOTTERY CHANCE
Although Paxson does not bet on luck in the lottery, the Bulls could use it. Chicago has a 12.5% chance of reaching Duke's first choice and likely Zion Williamson in the May 14 draw in Chicago. Going to # 2 could mean getting Ja Morant from Murray State. The Bulls' odds of placing in the top four are 48%.
ABOUT
"I'm a dog, I'm not fleeing anything," Dunn said.
HEALTHY PERSPECTIVES
Paxson has attributed a long list of injuries this season to bad luck rather than problems with the coaching staff.
"We have great confidence in our strength and our conditioning staff," he said. "The thing I tried to impress the players [Wednesday] At night, we have everything here to work and improve this summer. "
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