Jimmy Butler‘s recent criticism of Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg‘s laid back demeanor has rankled Derrick Rose‘s camp, but the swingman has the full support of veteran big man Pau Gasol, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times writes. “I don’t mind those comments,’’ Gasol said, when asked about Butler declaring himself the team’s leader this season. “I think those comments are positive. Those comments and attitudes don’t raise my eyebrows. I think it’s good certain guys want to take ownership and say, ‘Hey let’s go.’”
“There was some positives and some negatives to that situation,’’ Gasol said of Butler’s public statements regarding the team. “It’s a good thing to say, at some point, enough is enough, something’s got to happen, something’s got to change, and you’ve got to say something and stir the pot a little bit. But some things also need to stay directed indoors and not be exposed outside.’’
Here’s more from out of the Windy City:
- The Bulls are committed to Hoiberg, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports said on “The Vertical” podcast (audio link via Twitter at one-hour, one-minute mark), and Wojnarowski suggests that if Hoiberg doesn’t pan out, it jeopardizes the jobs of executive VP of basketball operations John Paxson and GM Gar Forman.
- Point guard Kirk Hinrich has been a calming influence for the Bulls and one of the few constants for the franchise the last few seasons, Jake Fischer of SI.com writes in his profile of the player. “He’s been a warrior for the franchise,” small forward Doug McDermott said of Hinrich. “He’s been a really good player and put it all out on the floor. He deserves a lot of credit.”
- While he remains an elite passer at the center position, Joakim Noah‘s broken shot mechanics and resulting lack of confidence in his offensive game have made him a liability on the court, Tom Ziller of SB Nation writes.
The Bulls front office needs Hoiberg to pan out, otherwise their zeal to replace Thibs will look foolish.
They’re going to give Hoiberg every opportunity to succeed. If this turns into a battle between Butler and Hoiberg, Butler’s going to lose.
If Butler loses, my season tickets will be available. And btw, Noah had 21 and 10 a couple games ago.
One good game, even with an impressive line like that, doesn’t erase his overall struggles all year. If a guy like Bairstow or Feliciano dropped 40 points in a game, we aren’t going to assume he’s going to start scoring at will in future games.
I wonder why you don’t see the bulls use more multiple guard lineups, with Hinrich at the 2 at times. I’d go with Derrick Rose, Hinrich, Butler, Gibson, Gasol and then have Mirotic come in for Gasol to move Gibson to the 5. Noah would then replace Gibson. Use Brooks, Snell, and McDermott depending on who is on the floor
Paxon and Heard should be FIRED! Reinsdorf and the good old boys aren’t working out with the sox either.
Another Iowa St. Coach going down the drain for the Bulls. Bulls front office didn’t like having a competitive and winning team. Thibodeaux was opinionated and wasn’t a yes man so Gar-Pax ( front office) fired him. Way to go boys. Now deal w it. Hey Paxon how did your other boy Vinnie D work out. You should be out of a job not Thibodeaux.