This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A trip to the playoffs wasn't enough to save Jim Boylan's job with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks announced Wednesday that Boylan won't be offered a new contract. Though Milwaukee made the playoffs for the first time in three years under Boylan, the decision was expected after the Bucks lost 12 of their last 16 games, finishing with their third straight losing season and eighth in nine years.
The Bucks were then swept by the Miami Heat in the opening round, losing all four games by double digits.
Boylan was a longtime assistant under Scott Skiles, and he stepped in after his old boss left the team Jan. 8.
Bulls defend Rose
Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau and guard Kirk Hinrich strongly defended Derrick Rose after Wednesday's practice, answering questions about TNT broadcaster and former Bull Steve Kerr's comments that Rose "maybe owes it to his teammates" to return from left knee surgery because others are playing through injury.
"We don't feel that way," Hinrich told the Chicago Tribune. "It has been a very difficult year for Derrick. I've never experienced any sort of injury like that. I'm not one to speak on how anybody else's body feels. We know what kind of guy he is and what kind of teammate he is."