There have been instances when Michael Reinsdorf sounded like he is reciting from the ownership handbook provided by his father years ago.
What’s refreshing about the Bulls chief operating officer, however, is not only will he color on some of the pages in that Jerry Reinsdorf handbook, but he’ll purposely go outside the lines.
And do it in permanent marker.
That’s what this last month has been for the younger Reinsdorf.
It’s been about balancing the philosophies of his father, but also understanding that the organization has needed to play catch-up with the rest of the league’s front offices.
It’s been about rewriting the handbook a bit to start establishing his own legacy.
And while it has been slower than some have been comfortable with, it is progressing.
Four years ago, as Michael Reinsdorf was first handed more power by Jerry, it seemed that former general manager Gar Forman would have a job for life. Michael Reinsdorf and Forman were good friends, and their wives were linked by being figureheads for Bulls Charities.
By last season, Reinsdorf was fully still backing vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, but seemed to be cooling on Forman, even discussing the process of finding a new GM and the complications behind it.
“From an ownership standpoint, when it comes to the basketball side, probably the most important thing from the ownership side it to make sure you hire the right general manager,’’ Reinsdorf told the Sun-Times 13 months ago. “I don’t think that’s easy for a lot of owners, and the reason I don’t think it’s easy for a lot of owners is it’s a different industry that they’re not experts in. If it was their industry, it’s very easy to identify and say, ‘OK, this guy I’m hiring for my financial company because of his background.’ I think it’s harder picking out [a head of basketball operations].’’
Michael Reinsdorf did just that, however. Identifying Arturas Karnisovas as that face of the basketball department, and bringing him to his father, Jerry, just for a final stamp of approval.
Meanwhile, also understanding the Reinsdorf philosophy of staying out of the way once the right person is in place, and living with the consequences of their decision making.
Karnisovas quickly fired Forman and opted to have Paxson stay on as an adviser, and then late Sunday night hired a new GM in Marc Eversley.
That’s why the pending coaching decision on Jim Boylen and his staff is so intriguing.
On one side, Reinsdorf has already allowed Karnisovas to whack a former friend in Forman, and on the other side the Reinsdorfs do like a final say on head coaches — whether they are hiring them or moving on from them.
The last time Michael Reinsdorf did speak publicly about Boylen it sounded like he was more than sold on the coach.
“I think the process just needs to change on just how you’re hiring coaches, but there is difficulty in you don’t truly know someone until they’re sitting in that office or they’re on that bench,’’ Reinsdorf said late last season. “One of the things I’m excited about Jim is you knew Jim. There were no surprises. Just like Phil Jackson. When Phil Jackson was hired they knew, they knew Phil. There were no surprises there.
“From that perspective, it’s not just [the front office’s] responsibility in hiring the coaches. We signed off on it. I’d also say that I wouldn’t change it anyway. Scott Skiles was still the right coach at that time, and Tom Thibodeau was the right coach at that time.’’
What is yet to be determined? Is Boylen still the right coach at this time?
Michael Reinsdorf’s legacy may depend on making the right call on that.
