Vinny Del Negro Fired: Right or Wrong?

Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro (or VDN, as I like to refer to him as) was fired last week (though some say the decision was set in stone since December, not wanting to let him go during the holiday season) and the public's reaction seems to be split.

On the one hand, the Bulls once again ended their season with a 41-41 record, in my opinion, well below their capability, and had some pretty heartbreaking losses (a certain Sacramento Kings game, and two New Jersey Nets games to be specific). Clearly, though it is the team who actually plays the games, both of these things at least partially rest on the shoulders of the coach, hence VDN receiving the criticism he did.

However, at the same time, the Bulls did make the Playoffs twice in a row, and though this year's series was a little less exciting than last year's (and man am I proud that it was the Boston Celtics they put up such a fight against), they still held their ground, not letting themselves be swept 4-0. Sure there are a handful of teams that seem as though they do not even belong in the league, therefore giving the Bulls a leg up on making it into the tournament, but at the same time, the NBA has talent, and eight seed or not, I consider it quite an accomplishment.

So should Vinny Del Negro have been fired or not?

Honestly, I'm sad to see him go. With this being only his second season as a head coach, I thought he had potential. His lack of experience may have given the Bulls a handicap, but lets not forget the actual injuries that took place in the last two seasons, and to who they happened to. Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, four key players, have battled health problems over the last two years, without a doubt impacting the Bulls' season. No matter how good of a coach a team has, without its talent, not much can be done. As I said before, I think 41-41 is beneath the Bulls, but one also has to remember the outside factors that went into such a record.

Unfortunately though, as soon as I had heard of the altercation that took place between VDN and John Paxson, I knew it was all downhill from there. Though I personally think both Pax and Gar Forman, the Bulls GM, have done little to nothing for the Bulls (speaking strictly in the last two seasons, as this is about VDN after all), drama like that does not belong in a league such as the NBA. And with VDN falling at the bottom of the ladder compared to both Gar and Pax, it was him who had to pack his bags.

I'm not saying Vinny Del Negro was a great coach. His constant switch from dangerously high tempered to much too relaxed was irritating, and beyond that greatly impared some of his plays and calls, often costing the Bulls some wins (I will never forget the Bulls/Heat game I was at last season-if you happen to still have the game recorded, peep the blonde with the black nails looking as though shes going to faint as Ben Gordon took three major freethrows at the end of the game, yes, its me-when VDN decided Thabo Sefolosha should inbound the potentially game winning ball, giving the Heat the victory), and his rocky relationship with some players (not inviting Larry Hughes to his Superbowl party is something I will never understand) but not everyone is perfect. Especially not in the beginning of their career.

I guess mourning the loss of Vinny Del Negro is like crying over spilled milk, especially when it was so clearly going to happen, but for whatever its worth, I enjoyed this antics and will miss his perfectly groomed hair. He often had me screaming "DID YOU EVEN DRAW UP A PLAY?" at my tv, but then there were those moments, during a timeout of a great quarter, or after a solid win, where I just wanted to hug him.

Pax, Gar, I hope you two have someone great lined up. The Bulls deserve only the best. And perhaps soon you two will be replaced as well. Though changes have already started to be made, the makeover is far from over. And eventually even those at the top need some adjusting.