Jim Boylen’s job safe for now

A team that entered the year with playoff hopes finds itself just 8-16 against a relatively soft early schedule. Yet our reading of the tea leaves says Jim Boylen is safe. For now. Probably. League sources say that team president John Paxson remains a fan of Boylen’s tough-love approach despite the disappointing results thus far. Part of the blame for the slow start can also be shared by injuries to Otto Porter and Chandler Hutchison that left the team with no real small forwards. Boylen’s defensive scheme has drawn plenty of criticism, especially since it’s an odd fit for a big lineup that aside from Thaddeus Young lacks fleet-footed bigs.

But to be fair, Chicago’s 29th-ranked …

But to be fair, Chicago’s 29th-ranked offense is the more pressing concern. Sources say Boylen remains unpopular in the Chicago locker room, which isn’t surprising given that his tenure began with a near-mutiny over his grueling practices and formation of the much-derided “Leadership Committee.” His unpopularity with the players would be the driving force behind any move by management, who otherwise seem satisfied and gave him an extension before the season.

Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary …

Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of Jim Boylen succeeding Fred Hoiberg as Bulls coach. “I don’t know if it feels like a year. It’s been such an intensive, 58-game game situation [last season] and then the busy summer. The season starts and you’re kind of in the thick of it,” Boylen said. “All I can say is I’m really enjoying it. I like this group of guys. I like the way we work. I like the way we practice. And I just really feel comfortable coaching these guys.”

LaVine started fast, which was to his …

LaVine started fast, which was to his credit after the unpleasant events from Friday’s loss. I probably would have still been pouting. “I’ve always said Zach is a really good guy and a good person and he wants to do well,” Bulls coach Jim Boylen said after Saturday’s game. “He wants to help the team. I have said this to you guys since I got the job: My job is to push the guy to a place he can’t take himself and that happens sometimes with tough conversations, meetings and maybe some uncomfortable moments; that’s what my job is.””