Jim Boylen's time as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls has run out, but not without leaving plenty of Boylenisms and a few memories to remember his short stint at the helm. His timeout usage for one, was reason for some mockery — an act even third-year forward Lauri Markkanen indulged in from time to time behind closed doors.
According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, Markkanen’s displeasure was not difficult to detect. The lanky marksman would share occasional off-the-cuff comments about Boylen, leaving no doubt for his distaste for the coach.
If slights like that aren't enough to warrant some animosity, this anecdote should put the icing on the cake:
“Following the Bulls’ final game before the All-Star break, an injured Markkanen openly mocked Boylen’s penchant for calling meaningless timeouts late,” wrote Mayberry. “Markkanen had been named one of five international players selected to help coach the top international prospects in the sixth annual Basketball Without Borders global camp. With several reporters within an earshot, Markkanen turned comedian, casually joking that he would be sure to call late timeouts in any game that has been long decided.”
Boylen had grown married to a Tom Thibodeau-esque “hard work pays off” mantra, determined to use any moment as a teaching opportunity. That mindset would extend to his timeouts — at times when the Bulls were already down double digits — dragging on a game that had no reason to go on.
Players, coaches, and scouts were quick to take notice of this habit. That did not get lost on Markkanen or any of his teammates, who saw how Boylen at times operated with no true sense of awareness.
Boylen may be gone, but his useless timeouts will forever live on in the pantheon of NBA amusements and surely in Markkanen's head moving forward.
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