Tensions reached a fever pitch today at the Berto Center. The pursuit of free agent Carmelo Anthony was put on the back burner as Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was livid at team VP John Paxson and GM Gar Forman.
ESPN The Magazine published its annual Body Issue today without Chicago’s coach. Thibodeau, who posed for the magazine, was excited to show the world more than just his x’s and o’s. However, Paxson and Forman demanded ESPN delete the photos from the final edition. Thibodeau was unaware of this until he excitedly bought an issue at the local Walgreens and discovered he was not included.
A screaming match ensued. A red-faced Thibodeau was overheard bellowing, “Are you ashamed of my body?”
Thibodeau then supposedly started to remove his clothes, yelling, “This ain’t Stan Van Gundy!”
Bulls forward Taj Gibson was working out when he witnessed the incident.
“Coach Thibs was pissed,” said Gibson. “I haven’t seen him like this since we traded Lu [Luol Deng].”
Thibodeau wanted to be the first professional coach to be featured in the magazine. He was especially proud of the work he’d done on his pecs. Photos included an au natural Thibodeau at a mock press conference, hanging free at the United Center, and even a team huddle photo. Reportedly, Thibodeau wanted a photo of a post-game handshake with Miami Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra. However, Spoelstra was said to be repulsed by the idea.
