There was no hint of deception in his voice.
His answers were clear, honest, and well thought out.
For the first time in years, talking to a Bulls general manager didn’t feel like driving off the used car lot just knowing you were likely sold a lemon.
But with all that said, Marc Eversley isn’t naïve. All the good feelings about having a new GM in place won’t mean a thing if this regime makeover doesn’t deliver. Yes, Gar Forman is gone, but high expectations by the fan base remain.
Eversley said that’s just how this new front office likes it.
“We’re definitely trying to bring this team back to relevance, absolutely,’’ Eversley said on Wednesday, meeting with the media in a Zoom call. “This is the Chicago Bulls, it’s an iconic brand. There’s a tremendous amount of history. But with that we also take tremendous … it’s a responsibility and I think we’ve embraced that.
“I think we made a gigantic leap in terms of making a commitment to the fan base by going out and getting a coach with the qualities of a Billy Donovan. We’ve talked a lot about this is not a rebuild. We’re looking to retool this thing, and we think Billy is going to put us in a great position to do that in the foreseeable future, so yeah, there’s a little bit of pressure as far as responsibility in getting this franchise back to relevance, but we embrace that. We embrace that on a daily basis and some of the decisions we’ve made on a daily basis kind of reflect that.’’
The Donovan hiring is a great example. Not the only one, but just the latest.
It took some time for executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas to make a decision on former coach Jim Boylen, finally firing him last month. What didn’t take long? Moving in on Donovan when the coach and his former Oklahoma City Thunder organization had a mutual parting of ways.
That’s what should have this fan base already knowing things are different than the John Paxson-Forman days.
When Karnisovas wants to make a move it’s not based on long-term survival, but quick action with the goal of building a winner.
“When Billy became available, I think Arturas called an Uber and wanted to head to O’Hare right away,’’ Eversley said of the process. “One thing about AK is when he wants to get something done, we get it done. He’s really thoughtful about it, but when there’s a decision to be made, he makes it and we move forward.’’
And that’s how they will look at it with the roster. Eversley calls this a “retooling’’ for a reason. There’s talent to develop in house, but he also knows they have assets and salary cap room starting next year. All of it will be in play.
“I think it’s all of those things,’’ Eversley said, when asked why he sees a quick turnaround. “I like the players on this roster. I think if we put together an efficient, effective player development program, I think you will see a quick turnaround as far as the output these players give. By going out and getting a Billy Donovan, who brings a different voice to the gym, he brings winnings, he brings leadership, he brings player development, and I think if you put that voice at the top of this thing, I think our players will grow.
“We do have assets going forward in terms of the flexibility a year from now, and I think again, if we can grow these players internally, I think we’re going to see success on the court. This team is better than a 22-win team, the talent is, so I think if we tweak it and do some little things, I think we’ll see some results that are positive.’’
