Collins, now a doting grandfather, seemed done with coaching after he and Michael Jordan were run out of Washington and Collins returned to TNT.

But friends have long said they believed Collins wanted one more shot. One saw Collins a week ago, before he contacted the Bulls, and told him to go back to Chicago. Collins just laughed. But when he told that story to his family, he was surprised by the response. They counseled him to go, said that he had sacrificed so much for them and he should do what was right for him. They'd be there for support.

It led to Collins' call to the Bulls, though to many who know him, perhaps that was inevitable.

Collins' scars from failed relationships haunt him. Some say that was what propelled Collins to rejoin Jordan in Washington as Jordan's coach. Though Jordan never sought Collins' dismissal in Chicago, the story circulated that he had. The relationship wasn't great since Collins was a rookie coach at the time, really frustrated he could no longer play at 35 because of injuries, and pushing too hard. In some respects he needed to meld with Jordan again, and he did.

Likewise, Collins and Grant Hill left on bitter terms when Collins was fired from the Pistons. But Collins has worked over the years to repair the relationship to the point where Collins has become something of a mentor; and when Hill was deciding where to go after leaving Orlando, he consulted Collins, who played a significant role in Hill going to the Suns.

And so really all that's left is the Bulls, and a friend in need.

Paxson clearly has been flummoxed in his coaching search after D'Antoni went to the Knicks. Paxson has sought out assistants, but it seems clear he has misgivings about turning over his young talent to someone inexperienced. Thus, it's Collins to the rescue of a friend. There's perhaps no more credible coaching figure available.

Paxson was extremely close to Collins when he played for him, so much so that Bulls teammates would kid Paxson about it. Moreover, Paxson has a Collins-like attitude, a player without great athletic ability who made more of his talent than most expected. The two were brothers in overachieving.

And though Collins always remained professional, it was difficult for him to watch Phil Jackson lead the Bulls team that he took to the brink to six championships. Returning home and restoring the Bulls to respectability seemingly would complete the cycle for Collins. Debts paid, disputes settled, a satisfying conclusion to his journey and perhaps the beginning of a new one for the Bulls franchise Collins helped put on its way 20 years ago.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

Celtics (8-1) looking like they did in ’07-’08 LeBron says he’s done talking about free agency Knicks (1-8) stuggles continue in loss to Hawks Live updates on Wednesday's NBA games NBA says refs right to nix Miller buzzer-beater Jackson says Gasol could be out until Christmas   Wade following in Jordan’s shoes ... literally Heat await a test from Shaq and LeBron NBA TV companion gives web help to TV game viewers Celizic: Kareem confronting ‘scary’ cancer head on NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: