CHICAGO — Kendall Gill fully expects the Bulls to finally get the better of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
"I think they are going to get past Cleveland with the simple fact that Kevin Love is out," Gill, a South Loop resident, former University of Illinois star and 15-year NBA veteran, told DNAinfo Chicago Friday afternoon.
"If Cleveland had Kevin Love, I don't think the Bulls would have enough, but without Kevin Love, nobody can deal with Pau [Gasol]."
Heading into Tuesday's Game 5 in Cleveland with the series tied 2-2, Gill, a current analyst for NBA TV, said the Bulls shouldn't fire head coach Tom Thibodeau, even if they don't beat Cleveland.
"I don't know how you let a coach like that go, although there might be a mutual parting of the ways," Gill said. "There has been a struggle with Thibs and management."
Gill on Thursday visited his alma mater to help present an award to former Illini coach Lou Henson. Gill said he believes in current coach John Groce but said the Illini have to do a better job recruiting Chicago.
"I believe in John Groce," Gill said. "I know the man personally. He has a lot of enthusiasm about the game, but it all comes down to talent. If you don't have a thoroughbred, it's not going to work.
"We have to get the Jabari Parkers, the Derrick Roses, one of these guys. We have to stop letting these other schools poach our talent."
Gill said Illinois' recruiting has been hurting ever since the IHSA state finals moved from Champaign to Peoria.
"That's an opportunity lost, and I've been saying that for six or seven years," Gill said. "We all grew up watching the state tournament in that building, and when you see that, you want to play there."
Gill, who does studio analysis and in-game color commentating, had served as a studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Chicago until early 2013. That's when he punched fellow analyst Tim Doyle in the CSN newsroom. Gill said he hasn't spoken to Doyle since.
"I don't welcome a conversation with him, and I don't want to see the guy," Gill said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's in my rearview mirror."
Gill said he ranks Rose seventh among the league's best point guards, behind, in order: Steph Curry; Russell Westbrook; John Wall; Kyrie Irving; Damian Lillard and Chris Paul. He thinks Rose does have a chance to return to his former NBA MVP form.
"Can Derrick Rose ever become the best point guard again? That remains to be seen," Gill said. "He shows glimpses of it, and he's my favorite NBA player, so I'd love for him to get back to it. But even though he's my favorite NBA player, I have to be honest about where he is."
Gill has been a South Loop resident for about eight years. His two children, Phoenix, 8, and Kota, 6, are in second grade and kindergarten, respectively, at Skinner West elementary, a Chicago Public School.
"We wanted our kids to have a diverse education, be around all creeds, all colors, all religions," Gill said. "We're very comfortable with the neighborhood, the school and the staff at the school."
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