Jim Boylen‘s stint as the Bulls’ head coach was short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful, as he led the team to a record of just 39-84 (.317) from 2018-20. After his tumultuous tenure in Chicago, Boylen was extremely appreciative to get the chance to coach Team USA’s qualifying team for the 2023 World Cup, as he tells Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
“This opportunity, you kind of get your sea legs back. I got my voice back,” Boylen said. “It was a godsend to come and do this, and also, this is the biggest challenge I’ve ever had.”
Boylen has led Team USA to a 3-1 record in the qualifiers to date, picking up wins in February over Puerto Rico and Mexico. There are four more qualifying windows to come, with the next one scheduled for June.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- When many of the top players available on the 2021 buyout market joined the Nets or Lakers, some league observers and fans pushed for changes that would prevent big-market teams from scooping up veteran talent essentially for free. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks (video link) argues within a recap of 2022’s relatively quiet buyout market that the impact of buyout signings is generally overstated — none of last year’s moves were difference-makers and it’s unlikely that any of this year’s will be either, says Marks.
- Former Oklahoma guard Isaiah Cousins has signed an NBA G League contract and is joining the Maine Celtics, according to our JD Shaw (Twitter link). Cousins was a second-round pick in the 2016 draft, but has yet to appear in a regular season NBA game, having spent most of his professional career in Europe.
- One of the former NBA players who had been playing in Ukraine this season, Toure’ Murry spoke to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today about his stressful experience leaving the country following Russia’s invasion last month. “There was risk of going to the Poland border and getting sent back. There were no guarantees. So we took a leap of faith going through Romania,” said Murray, explaining that he was eventually able to get a train to Bucharest, a flight to Amsterdam, and then a flight home to Houston. “It worked out in terms of getting across the border. But going through the situation, we had no idea if we would get out.”
It is not surprising to see that buy-out-market players don’t have much of an impact. Teams have had 50+ games to get comfortable with their rotations, offensive schemes, and defensive schemes. Any new player would just disrupt the flow. It would be more of a setback.
Generally speaking the players on the buyout market aren’t difference makers. Good players who still have earning power understand how foolish it is to walk away from a team having their bird rights.
If Ben Simmons and Irving bought out, rules need to be changed
I don’t expect anything this year but I’m happy to see new Celtics new top guy Brad Stevens signing some unknown, maybe overlooked or now developed players. I remember Javonte Green coming up that way & helping us out.
Go Celtics!
Javonte Green has been a God-send blessing for the Bulls this year, especially in the absence of Patrick Williams and their overall lack of forward depth due to injuries. I cannot believe they have him guarding opposing team’s fours, but the dude mostly holds his own and comes down with some big blocks from time to time..lol
Glad Javonte’s playing, and well! Celtics fans loved his energy, his speed, quickness, jumping ability & getting free under the boards for dunks.
Go Javonte! (Just not against the Celtics.)
Was any other team interested in DJ Augustin and got out-statused by Lakers?
No GM rver says *We wanted (x) but he wanted LA*.
Boylen is the worst coach ever. Surprised he is getting a chance to go near any team ever again after his disastrous time trying to ruin the Bulls.