Report: Celtics assistant Thibodeau accepts Bulls' top job

The Boston Celtics apparently will need a new assistant coach after the NBA Finals.

Tom Thibodeau accepted the Chicago Bulls' head coaching job Saturday, according to multiple media reports in Chicago.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers would not confirm the reports before Boston practiced the day before Game 2 of the series, but he and his players agreed that Thibodeau would be a good choice.

"I hope it's true, but we're not going to comment on it, I can tell you that," Rivers said. "We're focused on the NBA Finals. There's two teams. There's the Lakers and the Celtics, and that's what we're going to keep the focus on. But on Tom, he deserves the job. I think he's the best candidate out there. I've said that for three years now. So let's hope it's true."

Thibodeau, considered one of the NBA's top defensive minds, also was a candidate for jobs in New Orleans and with the Nets. He was not made available before the Celtics worked out at the Lakers' training center.

The longtime assistant was the architect of the defense that contained Kobe Bryant when the Celtics beat the Lakers for the title two years ago - and the one that helped them knock off LeBron James and Cleveland during a surprising run to these Finals.

"Thibs brings a passion for defense, I think," Kevin Garnett said. "When you think of Tom Thibodeau and what's his strengths, he's obviously a defense guy. He watches an uncountable amount of film. He's a worker. He's a guy that loves his job. He does it with passion. If he is not with us next year, he's well deserving of it, as well as anybody else on our coaching staff."

Tougher 'D' on Kobe?

Rajon Rondo often enjoys returning to his room at the Celtics' hotel and watching tape of a Boston victory before he goes to sleep. The losses, not so much.

Yet Rondo did just that after the Celtics' loss in the opener of the NBA Finals Thursday, retreating to his room with teammate Kendrick Perkins, ordering room service and watching the replay of the Lakers' win.

Even with the television muted, Rondo and Perkins came away from the tape session with two conclusions: Bryant is awfully good, but Boston still can beat the Lakers.

Rondo, Perkins and their teammates promise increased intensity in every aspect of their considerable games when they look to avoid an 0-2 series hole tonight in Game 2.- AP