National Basketball Association

Report: Thibodeau resisted use of player-monitoring technology

Published Jun. 4, 2015 8:46 a.m. ET

foxsports

By Steve DelVecchio

One of the reasons Tom Thibodeau wore out his welcome in Chicago was his alleged refusal to rest players and manage minutes. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Thibodeau had a simple message for Bulls management when they explored the idea of having players use wearable technology that helps monitor recovery — keep dreaming.

A recent feature from Ken Berger of CBSSports.com explains the idea behind technology that was created by a company called Catapult Sports. Catapult, an Australian company, has designed wearable devices that monitor how an athlete is moving. In theory, this would help determine if players are worn down and more susceptible to non-contact injuries.

The monitoring device, which is the size of a car remote, was used by 12 NBA teams this past season, including the Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors. When Bulls management expressed interest in the technology, Thibodeau wasn’t having it.

At a presentation on wearable technology organized by coaching agent Warren Legarie last year in Chicago, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau raised his hand. Everyone in the audience knew where this was going.

Thibodeau, fired last week by the Bulls and replaced by Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, had resisted overtures from Bulls management to employ wearable technology to monitor players’ recovery, league sources said.

“He was basically challenging it, like, ‘Michael Jordan didn’t need that,’” (Catapult’s president of North American operations Brian Kopp) said. “Fair point, but one of the most amazing athletes in the entire world, I would argue, would’ve benefited, too. There’s a reason why they call it old school, because it’s been replaced by new thinking.”

We know the Bulls have done their best to smear Thibodeau on his way out the door, but this nugget of info came from a seemingly neutral source. I can understand why coaches with an old-school mentality think the idea of wearing a device like that is insane, but I can also see why Thibodeau’s refusal to use it added to Chicago’s frustration.

More from Larry Brown Sports: