Jan. 29--LOS ANGELES -- Bulls general manager Gar Forman on Thursday addressed recent reports about the growing tension between management and coach Tom Thibodeau.
"While as an organization we try to avoid responding to rumors, there is absolutely no basis to this recent speculation," Forman said to the Tribune. "We are very proud of what the team and our players have accomplished to this point in the season. And we will not allow anything to detract us from our ultimate goal. The focus of the entire organization -- from top to bottom -- is on winning basketball games."
Thibodeau declined to address the dynamic at Thursday's morning shootaround.
"I'm not getting into any of that stuff," Thibodeau said. "I'm just worried about what we have to do. I'm not going to comment on all this rumor stuff and all that nonsense. Just get ready for the next game."
Citing league sources, the Tribune reported in Thursday's editions that many close to the dynamic believe the relationship is beyond repair and that a mutual parting following this season wouldn't surprise. Thibodeau has two seasons remaining on the four-year extension he took months to sign in the 2012-13 season.
