--General manager John Paxson has done plenty of interviews but appears to have a surprise choice in store to become the team's next head coach. Numerous reports have Doug Collins returning to the job he held from 1986-89.
Paxson's interest in Collins is not surprising. He tried to add Collins as an assistant coach in 2003, but the idea was nixed by then head coach Bill Cartwright. At the time, Paxson explained his reasoning by suggesting Collins possessed one of the best basketball minds in the game. Although he was known for being emotional and intense during his first stint with the Bulls, there is no doubt Collins has mellowed with age. Paxson sees him as a great teacher who can help develop the Bulls' young talent.
In addition to coaching the Bulls, Collins also headed the Detroit Pistons from 1995-98 and Washington Wizards from 2001-03. His career record in the NBA is 332-287.
--C Joakim Noah had a rough weekend in Gainesville, Fla. First, he was charged with possession of less than 20 ounces of marijuana and having open alcohol on a public sidewalk during the early hours of May 25. About 17 hours later, he received a traffic citation for driving with a suspended license.
The matters were resolved quickly. Less than two days later, Noah accepted a deferred prosecution agreement, resulting in six months probation and a $200 fine. He will also pay $206 in traffic fines.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have until June 26 and we're going to go about the process thoroughly and hopefully make the right decision. If people want to make assumptions, that's fine. We're going to look at them both in depth and make our decision." -- Bulls general manager John Paxson on deciding what to do with the top pick of the draft.
