This is not the norm for a Jerry Reinsdorf-owned franchise.
Not in the slightest.
No backstabbing, no cold war brewing, no jealousy, no coach kissing up to his bosses and telling them anything and everything they want to hear.
It’s just two men being themselves, communicating, discussing differences, all for the good of the shield they work under. Two men who actually like and respect each other.
Could it just be the honeymoon phase for Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and head coach Billy Donovan? Maybe.
But when the agendas are lined up like they are with these two, and they’re both straight shooters, it’s tough imagining this going off the tracks anytime soon.
And thank goodness for that.
Hawk vs. Tony La Russa, Ken Williams vs. Ozzie Guillen, Williams undermining Rick Hahn, John Paxson vs. Vinny Del Negro and his tie, Pax vs. Tom Thibodeau with special guest Gar Forman playing both sides, Jim Boylen vs. his own integrity in being honest with his bosses … pick a battle under the Reinsdorf regime.
There’s been some doozies.
One that won’t be appearing on the marquee anytime soon? Karnisovas vs. Donovan.
“I think he’s doing a great job,’’ Karnisovas said of Donovan earlier this week. “I’ve watched all the media availabilities by him. … And I think the one question that’s always coming up is, ‘When do they meet? When do they talk?’ We talk every day. We talk before every practice, we spend time during practices, talk after practices, before games, after games, so the communication is always there. I expected that and more, so there’s no misunderstandings from my side or his side.
“There’s always a clear understanding of what do we think after every game, how we can make this group better, what are the areas we can improve moving forward? So it’s unbelievable communication and I’m thankful to have him around.’’
It’s amazing how a relationship can work between executive and coach when egos aren’t brought into the room.
That was the reputation of both men before they were brought to Chicago. All the talk in Denver around Karnisovas was about how he was a relationship builder. Whether it was the star of the team or the winter intern in the public relations office, Karnisovas admittedly believes in investing in people.
Then there’s Donovan, who former Bull Joakim Noah more than endorsed in an ESPN story, saying, “I always felt like it was more than basketball with Coach Donovan. He’s the best coach that I ever had. I got nothing but love for him. I have nothing bad to say about him. I think that he’s somebody who has great balance in his life ... I love the guy.’’
That’s why Bulls COO Michael Reinsdorf should be in a good mood these days. A well-liked front office and a well-liked coaching staff means the days of being a global brand who still couldn’t attract elite free agents could be coming to an end.
It was the younger Reinsdorf that started the first domino falling by singling out Karnisovas as the replacement for Paxson.
The hope is there’s only great things to come.
“I would say one of the true blessings of being here is the relationship with him,’’ Donovan said of Karnisovas. “Obviously I really trust him basketball-wise, just his background as a player, his patience, the communication. He has been absolutely terrific to work with. And we talk a lot about the games, we talk a lot about practices, we talk a lot about how to help the guys get better.
“It’s been great and I’ve loved every minute of working with him and just appreciating his transparency and honesty and just the way he’s kept in close contact with me. Because you know as a coach you’re just focused on the team, the next game, the next practice, watching tape. But sure enough every day he’s popping in my office, he’ll sit down and we’ll talk. And I’ll go up and see him. We’ll talk after practice, after games. But it’s been great from my viewpoint, the way we’ve had a chance to work together, he’s been phenomenal.’’
Yes, this is still a Jerry Reinsdorf-owned production. Pinch yourself.
