CHICAGO — The Bulls fired coach Vinny Del Negro on Monday in a long anticipated move that comes after a late-season altercation with executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and another first-round playoff exit.
The Bulls went 41-41 and made the postseason in each of their two seasons under Del Negro.
Footnotes.
Former NBA coach Avery Johnson was interviewed by the 76ers for their coaching position.
• Heat president Pat Riley agreed to an extension while leaving the door open on a return to coaching.
• Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko (calf) returned for his first full practice and said there’s a 50-50 chance he will play tonight against the Lakers.
• Magic forward Mickael Pietrus (ankle) said he expects to play tonight against Atlanta.
The Associated Press
