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.
"The meeting went very well and I felt we connected on many things philosophically.
"On Tuesday Jerry and I met and, because of our strong interest, Jerry was eager to meet with Mike personally. This morning Jerry and I spoke and agreed that Mike was a good fit and I placed a call to his agent. Jerry wanted to meet with Mike again [Saturday] and talk about a deal.
"Unfortunately, we were never given an opportunity to make an offer of any kind, which is the most disappointing thing in all of this. I thought it would have been fair to listen to what we had to say. But at the end of the day we simply weren't given the opportunity to do so. I now will continue to search for the proper fit for our current roster."
Up next will be an interview with former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, who some think is intent on sitting out a year and collecting the $12 million owed to him from Dallas.
Paxson also had given the impression to confidants that D'Antoni was the only coach on whom he was willing to spend top dollar. Johnson, who took the Mavericks to the 2006 NBA Finals, is accustomed to making $4 million annually.
Paxson also wants to interview Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and Pistons assistant Michael Curry, if Detroit GM Joe Dumars gives the latter permission.
Paxson already has interviewed Mark Jackson, long considered the favorite to land the Knicks' job. The former player, who has no coaching experience, is considered a long shot.
Long shots would have been the norm if the Bulls had landed D'Antoni, who averaged 58 victories over his four seasons with the Suns. Instead, D'Antoni's high- octane offense will benefit former Bull Jamal Crawford with the Knicks.
"It's on us to make Mike's style work since we didn't get it done for Isiah [Thomas]," Crawford said in a phone interview.
Paxson tried to get it done with D'Antoni. Now, he's back at square one.
kcjohnson@tribune.com
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