Report: Tom Thibodeau's relationship with Bulls management deteriorating

The relationship between Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and team management is believed to be "beyond repair" by several league personnel, reports K.C.

The relationship between Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and team management is believed to be "beyond repair" by several league personnel, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. 

Thibodeau, who previously served as an assistant with the Boston Celtics, is in his fifth season in charge of the Bulls.

He has led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances, including the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. 

In October 2012, Thibodeau and the Bulls agreed to a four-year contract extension.

The Bulls were viewed as one of the Eastern Conference's top teams in the preseason but currently occupy the No. 4 seed with a 30-17 record.

The report described Thibodeau's emphasis on full participation in practice.

It notes that, even though the team had a meeting instead of an unplanned practice following a loss to the Cavaliers earlier this month, Thibodeau "isn't going to change."

• MAHONEY: Sorting out Raptors' struggles

From the report:

But it also underscored how, despite last week's team meeting instead of a practice, Thibodeau isn't going to change, even while the speculation about his long-term future with the Bulls continues. Despite the two seasons left on the four-year extension Thibodeau took several months to sign in the 2012-13 season, several league sources believe Thibodeau's relationship with management is beyond repair.

And while there are no plans to replace Thibodeau during the season, a mutual parting of the ways after this season wouldn't surprise many league personnel familiar with the deteriorating dynamic.

"The only way you can improve execution and timing is really through repetition," Thibodeau said. "The only way you get repetition is you have to practice. … There's the school of thought that less minutes are better. There's also the school of thought that when you do less, you also become deconditioned."

The Bulls beat the Golden State Warriors, who own the best record in the Western Conference, in Oakland on Tuesday. Chicago will face the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday.