5 On It: What stood out to you about Billy Donovan’s statement on leaving Bulls?

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Rahimi & Grote Show 18 min 3 speakers 4 chapters transcribed 4 months ago

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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

Marshall Harris 0:01

This hour is brought to you by Jewel Osco.

Unknown 0:06

Number one.

Leila Rahimi 0:11

What was the most powerful comment from Billy Donovan's statement regarding his decision to step down as Bulls head coach?

Marshall Harris 0:24

I think the biggest takeaway I had from it for me was the initial quote that he gave. Like, Billy took one for the team when he discusses how there needs to be a clean slate and there needs to be, in his words, to allow the search process to unfold. It is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit. That is him... I think truly wanting to do the right thing for the organization. And Marshall actually talked about it last week when he was like, maybe the best thing is for Billy to walk away. But I don't know about you guys. I like being employed.

What stood out about Billy Donovan's statement on leaving the Bulls?

Marshall Harris 1:05

So I don't necessarily know if that was something that Billy wanted to do. You try to keep the job you have, but... If there's one thing we've seen, it's that the basketball world is truly his oyster. He is well-respected at both the college level and at the NBA level. I don't think he's going to have any problem trying to find a job if he wants one elsewhere in a more clear-cut scenario. But I absolutely love talking to Billy Donovan about basketball day in and day out. I learned so much from him. He is a true teacher. I will miss his presence, but I think ultimately this is very much the right thing for the Bulls. So you're looking at this and you're wondering, well, was Billy Donovan asking for something that the Reinstorps wouldn't give him?

Marshall Harris 1:50

The answer is no. They would have given him anything. I mean, to hear Michael Reinsdorf talk about him in that press conference after he fired and dismissed both Arturis Karnaschovas and Mark Eversley, it let you know exactly what he was thinking about Billy Donovan. They both said in their statements that they wanted to keep him as the head coach. And we heard... at the time of the press conference with Michael Reinsdorf, that, you know, he's a Brad Stevens type situation could happen too, where he moves upstairs. But I think looking at the statement that Billy Donovan put out, it is that one sentence. I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit.

Marshall Harris 2:37

That's front office, that's coaching, that's analytic, whatever you're doing. And Understand this, a year ago, Billy Donovan could have taken a job probably to coach the New York Knicks and been squared back in the playoffs. I expect him to have similar opportunities this offseason. It's just a matter of where will he land? Because Shams Charania in his article about this news says Donovan, 60, plans to continue his coaching career and will be a viable target moving forward in the NBA landscape, sources says. I mean, that's it. He doesn't want to stop coaching. And if he doesn't have to be part of a rebuild where we have no idea what's going on yet, I don't blame him. But I am sad for him in some way, just being a fan of Billy's that he's not coaching this next team.

Marshall Harris 3:26

Series is tied at one. Yeah. Sorry. You know, I'm a Knicks observer. Number two. I like that. I like that. I like that, Tyler.

Leila Rahimi 3:37

Does Billy Donovan stepping down lead to a bigger general manager pool for the Bulls?

Marshall Harris 3:44

Yes. Absolutely, yes. Are there general managers who would have been a part of this who maybe were on your dream wish list that are now back in the mix because they have a clean slate? And naturally for Marshall and me, we spend too much time together. So we had kind of the same path. And I was like... Does this mean Bob Myers is interested now? Does this get Bob Myers? No! And then Marshall's like, he's in a better place, Leela. And he really is. He's part of some think tank where he just gets paid to just have his thoughts on stuff, basically. He's running several professional organizations. Where I'm pretty sure he just gets to kind of observe and do his thing. And then he pontificates on the NBA coverage on ESPN.

Marshall Harris 4:30

I'm aware that he has a better gig, but I don't know what drives people.