HoopsHype.com Rumors

One coach who won’t be participating in the offseason NBA coaching carousel is the Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau. Early Sunday afternoon, there were whispers that if the Boston Celtics trade coach Doc Rivers in a package to the Los Angeles Clippers, Thibodeau would be on the radar as a possible replacement. But an NBA source indicated Sunday evening that the Celtics would not pursue Thibodeau because they know the Bulls would not grant permission to speak to the former Celtics associate head coach. “He’s loved in Boston, but he’s loved a little more by Chicago,’’ the source said. Chicago Sun-Times

Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching 

The old Derrick Rose is back. Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose's speed and explosiveness is back to where the former MVP feels like himself again. "I worked him out about a week ago," Thibodeau said in a phone conversation Thursday. "It was great." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

"Watching the way he's moving now, there's a confidence," Thibodeau said. "(Reporters) may not have been able to see the total work he was putting in. But he was putting in an enormous amount of work each and every day. He just never got to the explosiveness he was comfortable with. I think he's there now. He feels great, and that's the most important thing." He said Rose is "running, lifting, playing and shooting. His day is full." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

USA Basketball and Syracuse University veteran coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, and New Orleans Pelicans head coach and former USA Basketball player Monty Williams, today were announced as USA Basketball Men’s National Team assistant coaches for 2013-16 by USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo. USA Basketball

Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Monty Williams, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Team USA, Jim Boeheim 

“I am honored that Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski have asked me to join the USA Basketball National Team coaching staff,” said Thibodeau. “It is truly and honor and a privilege to be representing our country the next four years and to be part of such a great team. I’m very excited about having the opportunity to work with all the great coaches and players that are going to be involved.” USA Basketball

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau said his responsibilities for Team USA begin this summer. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, USA Basketball, Team USA 

A person with knowledge of the details says Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams will join the returning Jim Boeheim as assistant coaches for the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. Thibodeau and Williams will work the next three years under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hirings were to be announced later Monday. Oregonian

Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Monty Williams, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim 

Frank Isola: Three of Jeff Van Gundy's former assistants, Tom Thibodeau, Steve Clifford and Michael Malone, are now NBA head coaches. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy, Michael Malone, Steve Clifford 

Rick Bonnell: Tom Thibodeau texted Stan Van Gundy "This is a great day for all of us" regarding Bobcats hiring Steve Clifford. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Steve Clifford 

One reserve the Bulls could bring back is center Nazr Mohammed, who was huge off the bench the last few months. “Yeah, I thought Nazr was tremendous,’’ Thibodeau said. “Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity with him, but again, you don’t know what the market will call for.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed 

Even as outside pressure grew for Rose to return, the Bulls understood that it was not imminent and were content with that. "If we were going to make a mistake, we wanted to make a mistake on the side of caution," Thibodeau said. "We feel good about where he is. He has the whole summer to build more confidence, and that's the important thing. As we said when he first had the surgery, we weren't going to rush him back. And we held to that. I think it was the smart decision." USA Today Sports

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau 

Coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed one certainty: Jimmy Butler will be starting next season. "I don't see why not," Thibodeau said Friday. "The way he played this year, he earned that spot. He has great versatility. He became much more confident and competent — running pick-and-rolls, catch-and-shoot, putting it on the floor, posting up. His improvement offensively was tremendous. And his defense has gotten better and better, and will continue to improve." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on DRose: "He never quite reached the comfort level he needed to play. So he made the right decision." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau said they are hoping to avoid surgery on Noah's chronic plantar fasciitis. #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Injuries, Joakim Noah 

Derrick Rose indeed sat out every game following surgery to repair his torn left anterior cruciate ligament on May 12, 2012. "We didn't know and he didn't know," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He heeded (Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's) advice from the beginning to not rush it and make sure he's completely comfortable before getting out there. It's too important a decision for him to rush. Until he's completely comfortable, we don't want him out there. We knew this was a possibility and that's fine. You deal with it as best you can. We just want him to continue to work like he has been working. We want him completely healthy." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Jerry Reinsdorf, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Jeff Zillgitt: Thibodeau on Rose "If we were going to make a mistake we wanted to make a mistake on the side of caution. I think it was the smart decision" Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on DRose: "It’s too important a decision for him to rush. Until he's completely comfortable, we don’t want him out there." Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Maybe a $35,000 fine from the league office was enough to change Tom Thibodeau’s tune when it comes to officiating in the NBA playoffs. Three days after he insisted his team wouldn’t get any calls against Miami, Thibodeau said the series isn’t about officiating – and never has been. Daily Chronicle

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Tom Thibodeau, Referees 

KC Johnson: Richard Hamilton reiterated what Tribune reported 2 days ago: His health is fine. He dropped out of rotation by Thibodeau's decision. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Richard Hamilton 

Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich are “most likely out” for Monday’s Game 4 against the Miami Heat. In the tight-lipped coach’s world, that translates to out. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Injuries