Nikola Mirotic‘s standing with the Bulls has been called to question after consecutive DNP-CDs suggest he could be falling out of the rotation. Mirotic failed to get off the bench on Thursday, then missed the team’s Friday walk-through, leaving head coach Fred Hoiberg little choice but to sit him for that game as well. Though Mirotic claims he simply forgot about the walk-through, he’s still subject to a fine, says K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The 25-year-old admitted to being surprised about Thursday’s lack of playing time, but insists his absence from practice was unrelated.
“No, I’m not that kind of guy. Even if things are not like how I would like them to be, I’m very professional,” the Bulls big man told ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “It’s not my first year here. Those guys respect me and I respect them. I would never do that, something like that.”
In 22.4 minutes per game this season, Mirotic has logged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. That offensive output and his corresponding .381 field-goal percentage mark the lowest figures of his career.
There’s more from the Central Division.
- Michael Carter-Williams had his cast removed Friday and the backup Bulls point guard believes that he’ll be able to play by the end of next week, reports Friedell. A return to the court on Christmas Day, therefore, is realistic.
- The Pistons have the assets to make a major trade, a testament to the work that head coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Jeff Bower have done over the years, writes Keith Langlois for the team’s official website. The team has been aggressive in the trade market in recent memory, too, having acquired Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris mid-season in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
- Pistons sophomore Stanley Johnson appears to be working his way back into the rotation, says Rod Beard of The Detroit News. In three contests this week, Johnson has played 26, 14 and 16 minutes. Prior to that span, the last time he had seen more than 10 minutes in a game was on November 23.
Kinda disappointed in Johnson. I anticipated him making a quantum leap in his play this year. Wouldn’t rule out, Detroit moving him by the deadline, if he doesn’t show improvement.
Hey GARPAX , it looks like the wheels are starting to come off. You deserve it.
What are you talking about? The wheels fell off years ago
Before train anybody to the Pistons they need to reload and check their bullets and see what they really got them guns let them guys play man
plz trade jackson
I believe STAN VAN GUNDY should give STANLEY JOHNSON 24 minutes a game.