Vinny Del Negro surely is in a witness protection program right now, or some bizarre NBA coaches’ version thereof. After a series of stinging losses for the Chicago Bulls, they then went on to do the unthinkable last night — giving up a 35 point lead on the way to a 4 point loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Yes, those Kings, led by a rookie in Tyreke Evans and not much else. Whilst you can’t blame all of a loss like that on the coach, it sure as hell won’t stop the fans and media from doing so.
Watching the game, I jokingly suggested at the start of the third that only the Bulls could throw this one away, not really thinking that they would. But, somehow, I knew they could. And did they what?
As that run went on like a D grade horror film, it was all I could do to look at Del Negro. He looked like an investment bank employee during the recent depths of the financial crisis — bedraggled suit and all. His face was stripped of colour and he would have done all he could at that moment to dig a hole in the hardwood and disappear forever.
The fact that he has not been made to disappear by Bulls’ management is a surprise to many (if not most), who believed that he would be out the door before tonight’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Can he take the brunt of the blame if they lose horribly tonight? Oh, he will, either way. Regardless of whether his team miss wide-open layups and refuse to steal the ball from opponents adjusting their footwear, he will get the blame and the boot.
In fact, I would be surprised if a replacement is not already being sought, with Del Negro a mere dead man walking… somewhat trendy, given the current Twilight phenomenon. Teenage girls, you should be glued to your tv sets tonight — the next instalment of you favourite vampire show is on at 7:30PM EST.
The big question is, will his Bulls throw him under that bus? Will they bring forth an inspirational performance to beat the Knicks? There is no reason that this team can not defeat a team like the Knicks — they’ve shown flashes of brilliance at various times this season. It’s time for them to pull one out for their coach — unless of course, they too want to show him the door.
