John Paxson
Encyclopedia
John MacBeth Paxson is a retired American basketball
player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association
's Chicago Bulls
.
in Kettering, Ohio
, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Jim
, who would go onto a star career at the University of Dayton
, and, later, in the NBA, as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers
. By his senior year, John was considered as one of the top guards in the country and was named to the 1979 McDonald's All-American Team, joining such future college and NBA standouts as Isiah Thomas
, James Worthy
and Byron Scott
in the game.
. In 1980-81, his sophomore year, Paxson led his team in assists
with a career-high 138 that season. He earned his first All-America recognition as a junior in 1981-82, averaging 16.4 points and dishing out 4.7 assists. The following year, Paxson lead Notre Dame to a 19-10 record, averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game
and tallying 112 assists en route to claiming his second All-America selection. He also helped guide the team to NCAA appearances in 1980 and 1981. For his career, he was a .526 shooter from the field, presaging his sharpshooting prowess in the pros. He finished his four-year stint at Notre Dame with 1,366 points (19th in Notre Dame history), 411 assists (seventh), 133 steals
(eighth), 86 games started (13th), and field goal percentage (20th). His four-year average was 12.2 points per game.
, Pat Garrity, and Paxson are the only three basketball players in Notre Dame
's history to earn Academic All-America accolades on more than one occasion.
with the 19th overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft
. In two seasons with the Spurs, he averaged 4.9 points per game and 2.9 assists. He then signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls
, who teamed him in the backcourt with Michael Jordan
. Paxson proved to be a valuable 3-point marksman and clutch
shooter in the Bulls' first three championships.
Paxson is probably best known for his championship-winning shot during the 1993 NBA Finals
. The Bulls were down by two in the last seconds of Game 6 of the finals series held at the America West Arena
in Phoenix
, before Paxson sank a three point
shot with 3.9 seconds remaining, giving the Bulls a 99-98 lead and their third consecutive NBA title. In his NBA career, he started 369 games, and averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 assists per game.
hired Paxson as an assistant coach for the 1995-96 season. The Bulls won the title that year fueled by Michael Jordan
's return and the addition of another eventual Hall-of-Famer, Dennis Rodman
. He resigned shortly after the season to join Neil Funk
on radio broadcasts. Paxson said "I knew full well the time commitment coaching takes. But after that year I missed my wife and kids so much. I realized that if I didn’t prioritize, I’d miss everything that they were doing." When Jordan joined the Washington Wizards
, he asked Paxson to consider the head coaching job, but he declined for the same reasons.
.
After a promising conclusion to the 2002-03 NBA season
, Paxson pledged that the team would make the playoffs. He made headlines by signing former icon Scottie Pippen
after years of bad relations between the franchise and the stars of their championship years, Jordan and Pippen. However, the Bulls opened the 2003-04 NBA season
in sloppy and uninspired form, and Paxson opted to begin reshaping the character of the team by trading leading scorer Jalen Rose
for Antonio Davis
and firing friend and former teammate coach Bill Cartwright, replacing him with Scott Skiles
. The moves had no immediate impact upon the team's success, and the Bulls finished Paxson's first season as GM with a 23-59 record, second-worst in the NBA.
In his second season, however, Paxson was able to reshape the franchise with remarkable speed through the draft. Kirk Hinrich
made the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2003-04, and the 2004-05 rookie class yielded four major contributors, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng
, Chris Duhon
and Andres Nocioni
. After a long drought dating back to Jordan's departure, the Bulls returned to the playoffs and posted the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, a 24-game improvement from the previous year. The Bulls were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, by the Washington Wizards despite having home court advantage, a better regular season record and a 2-0 lead in the best of seven playoff series. The absence of starting center and leading scorer Eddy Curry
and promising small forward
Luol Deng in this series played a major role, although Tyson Chandler
and Kirk Hinrich both performed well.
When center Eddy Curry showed possible symptoms of a heart problem shortly before the playoffs, Paxson took a cautious approach and would not clear Curry to play without extensive DNA testing. Ultimately, Curry was traded along with Antonio Davis
to the New York Knicks for Michael Sweetney
, Tim Thomas
, and several draft picks. This trade would give them the Knicks first round pick in 2006, which they eventually used to acquire Tyrus Thomas
, and the right to swap first round picks with the Knicks in 2007. The Bulls floundered in the season that followed, but the team made a late-season run to finish at 41-41 and earn a second consecutive trip to the playoffs - as well as a second consecutive first-round exit. Eddy Curry has yet to miss another game due to a heart related injury.
Paxson acknowledged http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull062.html "It's no secret we need to get size in our frontcourt and we need to get a bigger guard if we can, a defensive-oriented guard. And we really need some leadership on the floor. I think our guys are still young in their development there; it's a lot to ask an entire group to assume that leadership role. So, that's the wish list, if you could get everything you wanted. I'm optimistic about this offseason. We should be, we're in a really good position; we've got good, young players and the ability to add to that."
Following the Bulls' first-round loss to eventual champion, the Miami Heat
, Paxson sought to improve the Bulls' frontcourt and defensive guard play by trading for rookie forward Tyrus Thomas
, drafting guard Thabo Sefolosha
, and signing four-time Defensive Player of the Year
Ben Wallace
.
The Bulls experienced an up-and-down regular season in 2006-2007, winning 49 games but suffering a demoralizing loss to the New Jersey Nets in the last game of the season, dropping as a result from the 2-seed in the East to the 5-seed. Deng rewarded his GM's loyalty by playing dominating basketball in the Bulls' first-round playoff sweep of the defending champion Heat in April 2007. But Paxson observed the Bulls' lack of a low-post threat when they were beaten by the Pistons in six games.
After high expectations for the 2007-2008 season the Bulls started 9-16 and were last in the Central division. He fired Scott Skiles
on December 24, 2007. Saying “This was a difficult decision to make, but one that was necessary at this time. Scott helped us in many ways during his time with the Bulls; most importantly, he helped this franchise get back to respectability. I am appreciative of his hard work and the imprint that he left on our team.” Over the span of five seasons with the Bulls, Skiles compiled a record of 165-172 (.490), and guided the team to the playoffs three consecutive years before getting fired. Paxson promoted assistant coach Jim Boylan
to interim head coach and the Bulls finished the year with a 33-49 record, missing the playoffs. Despite having only 1.7% probability, the Bulls won the NBA Draft Lottery
and selected Chicago native Derrick Rose
with the first pick in draft
. Paxson named former NBA player and scout Vinny Del Negro
head coach.
On May 21, 2009, Gar Forman
replaced Paxson as GM. Paxson's current title is VP of Basketball Operations.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
.
High school career
Paxson attended Archbishop Alter High SchoolArchbishop Alter High School
Archbishop Alter High School, also known as Alter High School, is a Catholic high school in Kettering, Ohio, United States. It is operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati and is named after Archbishop Karl Joseph Alter.-History:...
in Kettering, Ohio
Kettering, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,502 people, 25,657 households, and 15,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,077.4 people per square mile . There were 26,936 housing units at an average density of 1,441.6 per square mile...
, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Jim
Jim Paxson
James Joseph "Jim" Paxson is an American retired professional basketball player. A first round selection of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1979 NBA Draft, Paxson played for the Portland and the Boston Celtics of the NBA from 1979-1990 and was twice an All-Star...
, who would go onto a star career at the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
, and, later, in the NBA, as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. By his senior year, John was considered as one of the top guards in the country and was named to the 1979 McDonald's All-American Team, joining such future college and NBA standouts as Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
, James Worthy
James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
and Byron Scott
Byron Scott (basketball)
Byron Antom Scott is a retired American National Basketball Association player and current head coach of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He was formerly the head coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets. He attended Arizona State University, but left school in his junior year to...
in the game.
College career
Paxson played collegiate basketball at the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. In 1980-81, his sophomore year, Paxson led his team in assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
with a career-high 138 that season. He earned his first All-America recognition as a junior in 1981-82, averaging 16.4 points and dishing out 4.7 assists. The following year, Paxson lead Notre Dame to a 19-10 record, averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
and tallying 112 assists en route to claiming his second All-America selection. He also helped guide the team to NCAA appearances in 1980 and 1981. For his career, he was a .526 shooter from the field, presaging his sharpshooting prowess in the pros. He finished his four-year stint at Notre Dame with 1,366 points (19th in Notre Dame history), 411 assists (seventh), 133 steals
Steal (basketball)
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
(eighth), 86 games started (13th), and field goal percentage (20th). His four-year average was 12.2 points per game.
Academic honors
Paxson graduated from Notre Dame in 1983 with a degree in Business Administration and a 3.17 GPA and was a two-time Academic All-American. Bob ArnzenBob Arnzen
Robert Louis "Bob" Arnzen is a retired American basketball player.In 1965, Arnzen graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then played collegiately for the University of Notre Dame....
, Pat Garrity, and Paxson are the only three basketball players in Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
's history to earn Academic All-America accolades on more than one occasion.
NBA career
Paxson was selected by the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
with the 19th overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft
1983 NBA Draft
The 1983 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1983 in New York City. A total of 226 players were selected over 10 rounds by the league's 23 teams. At least three players from the 1983 draft now serve as coaches...
. In two seasons with the Spurs, he averaged 4.9 points per game and 2.9 assists. He then signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, who teamed him in the backcourt with Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
. Paxson proved to be a valuable 3-point marksman and clutch
Clutch (sports)
In American sports terminology, "clutch" means performing well under extreme pressure. It often refers to high levels of production in a critical game, such as Game 7 of a best-of-seven series, the last hole of a Major Championship golf tournament, or the final minute in a close match...
shooter in the Bulls' first three championships.
Paxson is probably best known for his championship-winning shot during the 1993 NBA Finals
1993 NBA Finals
The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1992-93 NBA season, featuring the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, and the Phoenix Suns, winners of 62 games and led by regular season MVP Charles Barkley...
. The Bulls were down by two in the last seconds of Game 6 of the finals series held at the America West Arena
US Airways Center
US Airways Center is a sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1992, and is the home of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association, the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena...
in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, before Paxson sank a three point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
shot with 3.9 seconds remaining, giving the Bulls a 99-98 lead and their third consecutive NBA title. In his NBA career, he started 369 games, and averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 assists per game.
Coaching
After retiring, Bulls head coach Phil JacksonPhil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
hired Paxson as an assistant coach for the 1995-96 season. The Bulls won the title that year fueled by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
's return and the addition of another eventual Hall-of-Famer, Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
. He resigned shortly after the season to join Neil Funk
Neil Funk
Neil Funk is the current television play-by-play announcer for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.A 1969 graduate of Syracuse University, Funk's first broadcasting job was covering high school sports for a small radio station in Danville, Illinois. He quickly moved up the ranks to...
on radio broadcasts. Paxson said "I knew full well the time commitment coaching takes. But after that year I missed my wife and kids so much. I realized that if I didn’t prioritize, I’d miss everything that they were doing." When Jordan joined the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, he asked Paxson to consider the head coaching job, but he declined for the same reasons.
Management
In April 2003, Paxson left his broadcasting position to become Vice-President of Basketball Relations for the Bulls after the resignation of longtime Bulls GM Jerry KrauseJerry Krause
Jerry Krause is a former professional basketball scout and general manager for, among other franchises, the Baltimore Bullets and, most notably, the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. He is a two-time recipient of the NBA's Executive of the Year award.-Early career:Krause was...
.
After a promising conclusion to the 2002-03 NBA season
2002-03 NBA season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
, Paxson pledged that the team would make the playoffs. He made headlines by signing former icon Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
after years of bad relations between the franchise and the stars of their championship years, Jordan and Pippen. However, the Bulls opened the 2003-04 NBA season
2003-04 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves*Rookie of the Year: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers*Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers...
in sloppy and uninspired form, and Paxson opted to begin reshaping the character of the team by trading leading scorer Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose
Jalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
for Antonio Davis
Antonio Davis
Antonio Lee Davis is a retired American National Basketball Association player. Davis is also the former president of the NBA Players Association .-College career:...
and firing friend and former teammate coach Bill Cartwright, replacing him with Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles
Scott Allen Skiles is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional basketball player. He also is the former head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. Skiles holds the NBA record for assists in one game, with 30...
. The moves had no immediate impact upon the team's success, and the Bulls finished Paxson's first season as GM with a 23-59 record, second-worst in the NBA.
In his second season, however, Paxson was able to reshape the franchise with remarkable speed through the draft. Kirk Hinrich
Kirk Hinrich
Kirk James Hinrich is an American professional basketball player, currently a guard for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. He has also been a member of the USA National Team....
made the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2003-04, and the 2004-05 rookie class yielded four major contributors, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
, Chris Duhon
Chris Duhon
Chris Nicholas Duhon is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic. Duhon was a point guard for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team from 2000 to 2004, the Chicago Bulls from 2004 to 2008, and the New York Knicks from 2008 to 2010, and presently plays for the Orlando...
and Andres Nocioni
Andrés Nocioni
Andrés Marcelo Nocioni is an Argentine professional basketball player. He is under contract with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, but is playing for Peñarol de Mar del Plata during the NBA lockout. A regular member of the Argentine national team, Nocioni was part of the team that won a gold medal at...
. After a long drought dating back to Jordan's departure, the Bulls returned to the playoffs and posted the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, a 24-game improvement from the previous year. The Bulls were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, by the Washington Wizards despite having home court advantage, a better regular season record and a 2-0 lead in the best of seven playoff series. The absence of starting center and leading scorer Eddy Curry
Eddy Curry
Eddy Curry is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He was born in Harvey, Illinois...
and promising small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
Luol Deng in this series played a major role, although Tyson Chandler
Tyson Chandler
Tyson Cleotis Chandler is an American professional basketball center who most recently played for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He was also a member of the United States men's national basketball team.-High school:...
and Kirk Hinrich both performed well.
When center Eddy Curry showed possible symptoms of a heart problem shortly before the playoffs, Paxson took a cautious approach and would not clear Curry to play without extensive DNA testing. Ultimately, Curry was traded along with Antonio Davis
Antonio Davis
Antonio Lee Davis is a retired American National Basketball Association player. Davis is also the former president of the NBA Players Association .-College career:...
to the New York Knicks for Michael Sweetney
Michael Sweetney
Michael 'Mike' Damien Sweetney is an American professional basketball player, in the power forward/center position.-High school/college career:...
, Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas (basketball)
Timothy Mark "Tim" Thomas is an American professional basketball player, in the small forward position.-High school / College:...
, and several draft picks. This trade would give them the Knicks first round pick in 2006, which they eventually used to acquire Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Wayne Thomas is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.-High school career:...
, and the right to swap first round picks with the Knicks in 2007. The Bulls floundered in the season that followed, but the team made a late-season run to finish at 41-41 and earn a second consecutive trip to the playoffs - as well as a second consecutive first-round exit. Eddy Curry has yet to miss another game due to a heart related injury.
Paxson acknowledged http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull062.html "It's no secret we need to get size in our frontcourt and we need to get a bigger guard if we can, a defensive-oriented guard. And we really need some leadership on the floor. I think our guys are still young in their development there; it's a lot to ask an entire group to assume that leadership role. So, that's the wish list, if you could get everything you wanted. I'm optimistic about this offseason. We should be, we're in a really good position; we've got good, young players and the ability to add to that."
Following the Bulls' first-round loss to eventual champion, the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, Paxson sought to improve the Bulls' frontcourt and defensive guard play by trading for rookie forward Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Wayne Thomas is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.-High school career:...
, drafting guard Thabo Sefolosha
Thabo Sefolosha
Thabo Patrick Sefolosha is a Swiss professional basketball shooting guard who plays for Fenerbahçe Ülker in Turkey. He is also under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, but is playing overseas because of the 2011 NBA lockout....
, and signing four-time Defensive Player of the Year
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season, to the top defensive player of the regular season...
Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
.
The Bulls experienced an up-and-down regular season in 2006-2007, winning 49 games but suffering a demoralizing loss to the New Jersey Nets in the last game of the season, dropping as a result from the 2-seed in the East to the 5-seed. Deng rewarded his GM's loyalty by playing dominating basketball in the Bulls' first-round playoff sweep of the defending champion Heat in April 2007. But Paxson observed the Bulls' lack of a low-post threat when they were beaten by the Pistons in six games.
After high expectations for the 2007-2008 season the Bulls started 9-16 and were last in the Central division. He fired Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles
Scott Allen Skiles is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional basketball player. He also is the former head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. Skiles holds the NBA record for assists in one game, with 30...
on December 24, 2007. Saying “This was a difficult decision to make, but one that was necessary at this time. Scott helped us in many ways during his time with the Bulls; most importantly, he helped this franchise get back to respectability. I am appreciative of his hard work and the imprint that he left on our team.” Over the span of five seasons with the Bulls, Skiles compiled a record of 165-172 (.490), and guided the team to the playoffs three consecutive years before getting fired. Paxson promoted assistant coach Jim Boylan
Jim Boylan
Jim Boylan is an American basketball coach. He served as the interim head coach for the Chicago Bulls until he was dismissed on April 17, 2008. The Milwaukee Bucks hired him as an assistant coach on May 14, 2008.- Playing career :...
to interim head coach and the Bulls finished the year with a 33-49 record, missing the playoffs. Despite having only 1.7% probability, the Bulls won the NBA Draft Lottery
NBA Draft Lottery
The NBA Draft Lottery is an annual event held by the National Basketball Association in which the teams who had missed the playoffs in the previous season, or teams who hold the draft rights of another team that missed the playoffs in the previous season, participate in a lottery process to...
and selected Chicago native Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose
Derrick Martell Rose is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association ....
with the first pick in draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
. Paxson named former NBA player and scout Vinny Del Negro
Vinny Del Negro
Vincent Joseph "Vinny" Del Negro is a retired American basketball player. He is the current head coach of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, and was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 2008 until 2010.-Early life:...
head coach.
On May 21, 2009, Gar Forman
Gar Forman
Gar Forman is an American basketball executive for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls. Forman was named GM in 2009 after being in the organization for 11 years as a scout, director of player personnel, and special assistant to executive vice-president of basketball operations...
replaced Paxson as GM. Paxson's current title is VP of Basketball Operations.
Trivia
- His father, James PaxsonJim Paxson, Sr.James Edward Paxson is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'6" guard/forward, Paxson attended the University of Dayton during the mid-1950s, averaging 10.9 points per game in his collegiate career. He helped the Flyers attain two consecutive second place finishes in the National...
, played for two years in the mid-1950s, for the Minneapolis Lakers and the Cincinnati Royals. - His brother Jim PaxsonJim PaxsonJames Joseph "Jim" Paxson is an American retired professional basketball player. A first round selection of the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1979 NBA Draft, Paxson played for the Portland and the Boston Celtics of the NBA from 1979-1990 and was twice an All-Star...
, formerly general manager of the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, played 11 years with PortlandPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
and BostonBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. - On June 6, 2005, Paxson was inducted in the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame, along with five other celebrities.