Found Our Next RnR Main Event: People Within The Bulls Thought Zach LaVine And Jim Boylen Were Going To Physically Fight
[The Athletic] - LaVine was angry after the game and there was a minor concern among members of the traveling party that things could turn physical between the two prior to the team flight to Charlotte.
On the surface, the relationship between Boylen and LaVine appeared to be improving when LaVine offered to pay one of his coach’s fines the previous March. After a double ejection on the coaches following a sideline quarrel with L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers in 2019, LaVine explained he wanted to stick up for his coach.
“I didn’t feel like he deserved it,” LaVine said days later. “So I wanted to stick up for him. He sticks up for us a lot. I feel like he hasn’t got enough credit for that. We’re not winning and he’s still coaching us hard. We’re going somewhere. I appreciate that.”
What LaVine didn’t appreciate, according to a person familiar with the situation, was Boylen leaking the gesture to the press. What was intended as an olive branch quickly turned into a publicity stunt orchestrated by Boylen to make himself look good.
Ding. Ding. Ding. I will say the only thing missing from Rough n Rowdy is an athlete/coach fight. Feel like we need to get LaVine and Boylen in the ring after reading these reports. What a disaster and I say this as a Knicks fan. Somehow this is past Knicks territory in terms of fucking chaos. What exactly was LaVine mad about? The Heat jumped out to a 13-0 lead and Boylen pretty much just blamed him. You get blamed for a 13-0 run, you have to fight someone. You can't be giving up personal 13-0 runs, even if it wasn't your fault.
What a disaster man. You have LaVine paying Boylen's fine as a sign of good grace only for Boylen to leak it to the press so he could look good. Did anyone watch the Bulls? He was awful. Remember this gem?
Or when another player just straight up laughed as people chanted to fire him?
The more I think about it, the more I'm surprised Boylen and LaVine didn't fight. The man brought in a WWE belt for a one-on-one championship. That's a man who is ready to fight his players at any time. Then again, coaches don't have the best record in fights against players. Remember Sprewell? Don't think Boylen wants to go down that road.
That's why we need this at Rough n Rowdy. Imagine Big Cat on the call just pissed about the Bulls. Don't want, need it.