Ah, you Chicago Bulls. When will you stop being so maddeningly entertaining off the court (and the exact opposite on it?) Hopefully, never.
So, apparently rookie coach Vinny Del Negro picked up a thing or three from former Bulls boss Scott Skiles. Little things, like inane team laws that make sense only to the person instilling them. Thou shall not enjoy a pre-game meal in the locker room, for example. Lest one is willing to be fined, as three Bulls players found out last week. From the Chicago Tribune:
Del Negro felt the same way when he fined Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and Larry Hughes for conduct detrimental to the team. The fines, presumed nominal to remind players who’s in charge, stemmed from the Bulls’ road victory Monday in New Jersey, when Del Negro reminded players of a rule in the team handbook prohibiting pregame eating in the locker room.
Some players grumbled, saying they were unaware of the rule. From there, Del Negro dealt with players directing what he viewed as either improper language or disrespectful behavior toward him.
But of course, that’s not all! Joakim Noah and Andres Nocioni got into it on Friday night over a blown defensive assignment in the midst of a horrific loss at home to the Clippers.
Something obviously has to change in the CHI, and some in the local media seem to think Noah is the problem. Unfortunately for Bulls fans, Joakim appears only to be the tip of their hoops iceberg.
