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May 11--An action-packed, intense 24 hours now likely will cede to a slow march to the next Bulls coach after Mike D'Antoni took his run-and-gun fun to the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's Friday meeting with D'Antoni in Phoenix couldn't convince D'Antoni to bring his unique offensive style to Chicago and ignore the Knicks' offer of $24 million over four years.
Get ready for the Avery Johnson or Tom Thibodeau or Michael Curry or Mark Jackson or Somebody Else era.
According to a team official familiar with the D'Antoni negotiations, Reinsdorf and Paxson were preparing to make an official offer Saturday when they received word D'Antoni had accepted the Knicks' job.
Team sources claim the Bulls, who were under the impression from D'Antoni's camp that they were the better fit, weren't given a chance to make a counteroffer. Those same sources insist the Bulls were willing to offer a four-year contract.
Warren LeGarie, D'Antoni's agent, said the Bulls were hesitant to meet his client's desire for a multiyear contract. Paxson fired Scott Skiles last December with close to two years left on his four-year deal.
"Chicago made a terrific, last-second pitch, but at that point, Mike was emotionally committed to New York," LeGarie said in a phone interview. "John Paxson did a magnificent job to bring Mike on board, and Mike was quite taken with John.
"This has nothing to do with money. Mike sees a great challenge in New York."
That the Bulls even considered matching or surpassing the Knicks' offer is surprising given they still owe Skiles $3.5 million. Yet, as reported in the Tribune, Skiles agreed to spread that sum over four seasons so the Bulls only owed him $1 million next season.
Reinsdorf was prepared to sign off on Paxson's recommendation and negotiate. Sources said Reinsdorf came away impressed from his Friday meeting.
Paxson was intrigued enough by D'Antoni's gregarious personality and offensive ideas for Bulls personnel to look past his desire for a practice- and defense-oriented coach.
"I flew out to see Mike last Sunday within hours when I was given permission to do so from [Suns general manager] Steve Kerr," Paxson said in a statement.
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