Perhaps the Bulls should have initiated coaching-change talks sooner. Vinny Del Negro, who only a week ago seemed certain to be fired, has the Bulls playing their best basketball of the season. They have won four straight games, most recently over the Orlando Magic, owners of the 2nd best record in the East and 3rd in the NBA.
Part of the turn-around can be attributed to Tyrus Thomas' return, but give Del Negro some credit as well. He had enough faith in rookie Taj Gibson to keep him in the starting lineup and bring Thomas off the bench and is being rewarded for it.
He also moved Kirk Hinrich into the starting lineup, allowing John Salmons to come off the bench. The productivity of both players has improved since the move. Salmons' size makes him the more conventional starting two-guard, but the last time the Bulls won a playoff series (2007 sweeping the reigning champion Miami Heat) Hinrich started at the two. Props to Del Negro for seeing past Hinrich's versatility (making it enticing to bring him off the bench) and having faith in starting the 6-3 combo guard against the likes of Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter. Hopefully Salmons will continue to produce offensively off the bench because his drop off has really hurt the Bulls so far this year.
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