Jim Boylen

Boylen's reign in Chicago didn't start particularly well, but to his credit the Bulls coach has softened his ways and adapted to a more modern style of coaching, both tactically and philosophically. Zach LaVine, in particular, speaks glowingly about his coach.

The support of your star can only get you so far, however. The Bulls cannot be pleased with a 6-14 record. Much maligned front office pair Gar Forman and John Paxson tried to speed up the rebuild this year, bringing in Otto Porter Jr via a trade with Washington and free agents Tomas Satoranksy and Thad Young to mentor their cadre of youngsters.

It's hasn't gone well.

Lauri Markkanen has struggled to find form all season, before it was reported that he had been carrying an abdominal injury. The vets haven't really done much of anything on the floor. LaVine has been as inconsistent as always, throwing fire before disappearing.

Wendell Carter has been solid. The 2nd year centre has proven to be the building block the team hoped for. However one success story won't be enough for Boylen to save his skin come seasons end if the Bulls stay on their current 24 win pace.

Gregg Popovich

Many will be surprised to see this name appear on this list.

Unlike the coaches already discussed, Coach Pop's hot seat isn't about any potential firing, rather it's about maintaining Pop's unparalleled reputation for reinventing his ball club on the fly.

Even casual NBA fans are aware of the Spurs playoff streak, but the Spurs success stretches longer that just that 1997 aberration. Since joining the NBA in 1977, San Antonio have only missed the playoffs four times – and only once since 1989. That puts into perspective what a lottery appearance means for this franchise.

Since picking Tim Duncan #1 back in 1997, the Spurs have had precisely zero top 10 draft picks – this is a team built on a front office that played the margins better than anyone and a coach that has continually reinvented his style to best suit his troops.

Seeing the Spurs sit at 7-14, with a lifeless and ageing roster is jarring for veteran hoop heads. This isn't the Spurs! They're supposed to find a 2nd rounder and some kid from Venezuela and turn them into potential Hall of Famers. Pop quiz (pun intended): who on this roster plays an All Star game in the next five years? Dejounte Murray, perhaps? Not unless he learns to shoot. After that it's crickets.

Yes, this roster is old. It's not exactly modern, with its mid-range fixation. It can't play defense – the bedrock of all Pop teams. A large chunk of that comes down to poor front office planning. But a serious portion of the blame is on the coach. A shapeshifter who has seemingly forgotten how to shift.

As sad as it is to say, we may be seeing Pop's last stand.


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