Playing against the “Dream Team’’ back in the 1992 Olympics, made a huge impression on Arturas Karnisovas.
Maybe not as big as the impression Charles Barkley’s elbow made on him while Karnisovas was guarding the Hall of Famer in one showdown, but close.
To finally share the court with Bulls legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on that stage meant something to the Lithuanian-born hoop star. As did running out of the garage to the famous Bulls introduction music in his younger days, hoping someday that he could be a member of the franchise.
To now be completely in control of it?
A bit surreal.
“I have a long history of passion for this team and organization,’’ Karnisovas said.
But the 48-year-old Karnisovas was built for this.
Karnisovas started the business of the Bulls front office restructure almost immediately last week, agreeing in principle to become the executive vice president of basketball operations and making two quick hires in his first few days on the job.
However, on Monday, the organization made Karnisovas’ new title official, and president/COO Michael Reinsdorf couldn’t have been more thrilled.
“If we picked the wrong person it could take years to recover, so we needed to get this right,’’ Reinsdorf said. “I loved the idea of bringing in someone from the outside to lead this organization. It’s worked incredibly well on the business side.
“We wanted someone that could bring their own ideas and concepts, and have a strong, strong presence. A leader that would be process-oriented in trying to build a winning team.’’
In Reinsdorf’s mind — both Michael and board chairman Jerry — Arturas checked all the boxes.
But even before that point was reached, Michael Reinsdorf admitted that it was former vice president of basketball operations John Paxson coming to the ownership group and letting them know it was time for a change.
“I said when the time comes for the Chicago Bulls to make a change, John would be the one to let us know, and that was indeed what ended up happening,’’ Michael Reinsdorf said.
Maybe that’s why Paxson will remain a special adviser in the organization. In the eyes of the Reinsdorfs, Paxson has always put the organization first, even above his own job security.
Now they feel like they have a new voice to take that mentality and modernize it. The Bulls front office has been behind the times for years, and Karnisovas will be in charge of the overhaul.
“My professional philosophy is knowing players, constant communication, roster balance, and deal-making creativity,’’ Karnisovas said in a teleconference. “It’s team sports, so as a leader I have to understand individual role, and commit to the execution of those responsibilities. When I come in and I’ll have time to do that. I’m going to evaluate the current structure and where are the blind spots. I already hired two guys — J.J. Polk [as assistant GM] and Pat Connelly [player personnel], who are going to join the organization. So I’ve already started that process.’’
Next up will be a general manager, as well as adding new department heads and depth in each office along the way.
Then a total evaluation of the coaching staff and the roster. It’s the roster that Karnisovas feels he can really impact, especially in that player development aspect.
“One of my primary goals is to establish player development,’’ Karnisovas said. “We are the second-youngest team in the league, great young core, the Bulls drafted well. So players want to play, but at the end of the day they want to win.
“My job is going to be to facilitate that. It was a huge thing for us in Denver and it’s going to be huge here in Chicago. Because we’re going to have to improve our players.’’
