Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg will have to decide soon whether to emphasize making the playoffs or developing young talent, writes Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago. Chicago is coming off a terrible week, losing four straight games and slipping to 10th in the East. Hoiberg continues to experiment with different combinations, playing everyone but Nikola Mirotic in the first half of each game.
Last month’s five-player trade that sent Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to Oklahoma City clouded the team’s direction, Goodwill writes, with newly acquired Cameron Payne now the team’s third “point guard of the future” since Dwyane Wade signed last summer. “We’re doing everything we can to compete to win, at the same time we have some young guys we wanna get on the floor. It’s a balance,” Hoiberg said. “It’s guys, we want to get them out there and see how they play then make a decision in the second half.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Pistons have climbed back to .500, sparked by the insertion of Tobias Harris into the starting lineup, notes Aaron McMann of MLive. Harris scored 28 points Saturday against the Knicks and helped Detroit build a comfortable early lead. “He came out really aggressive,” said teammate Marcus Morris. “It was good to have him back in the starting lineup. We know what he can do. We know how well he can score the ball. So, it’s not really surprising to us.”
- The Bucks have named Steve Brandes president of their new D-League affiliate, the team announced on its website. The Oshkosh, Wisc., franchise will begin play next season.
- At age 37, Metta World Peace has assumed the role of a mentor with the young Lakers. But the former Ron Artest still has strong regrets about the effect he had on the Pacers almost 13 years ago, writes Mark Montieth of NBA.com. Artest was suspended for the season after charging into the crowd in Detroit on November 19, 2004, to confront a fan. That effectively killed Indiana’s title chances and led to the breakup of a promising young team. “We were supposed to win a ring together,” World Peace recalls. “Everything revolved around me, because I was unstable. That’s what I feel bad about to this day. That’s something I can never, ever forgive myself for. It’s something I have to recognize. We were on our way. [GM] Donnie [Walsh] put a helluva team together. I wanted to win a championship here. That was a big thing to me. And to Reggie [Miller]. At my most unstable point, it was the end of Reggie’s career.”
if hoibergs response isnt the definition of indecision, then idk what is. the front office claims theyre all on the same page, but the roster and coach says otherwise.
Hoiburg and the Bulls front office blow!!!!
Poor Ron
He shouldn’t beat himself up… (Poor turn of phrase perhaps)
The abuse these disgusting fans hurl at players is horrific and should be more closely policed.
Saying those kind of things outside of an arena would get you arrested.
I actually think Hoiberg is the worst coach in the NBA. While the roster is garbage (another reflection of GarPax) coaches still need to adapt and figure out the five best players to put on the floor at one time. He often looks like (and his rotations are evidence) he has no clue what he is doing. He was billed as a great communicator and I’ve seen several quotes this year from new guys saying they have no idea what their role is or when they’ll play.
The guys may not fit his system, but that’s no excuse for not figuring out who your go to group of guys by this stage of the season. I don’t understand how the front office can continue to say this guy is the right man for the job. Not one (!) player has developed or grown under his tutelage. Guys like Niko, Doug and Portis have actually regressed with him at the helm. This man wouldn’t even play their first round pick (wouldn’t you want to validate that the FO has make a good draft decision?) for the first half of the season! There’s no rhyme or reason to anything he does.
if the players don’t fit the system you have to adjust the system to the players you have
Agreed. I keep hearing this “Well, they didn’t bring in guys that fit his system” b.s.
Dude, you’re a rookie coach. You’re not a coaching God like Popovich or Thibodeau.
Do what you have with the talent you have. If it doesn’t fit “your system,” then you need to make adjustments.
That isn’t to excuse the front office, because my 8th grade brother could run a better front office, and I’m not even slightly kidding.
It’s not like this guy’s system is something that’s been proven to win championships.
Enough excuses. The guy is clueless. Gut the front office and fire this guy.
For the record I wrote that before today’s game lololololol
Actually, The worst Coach in the NBA belongs to J. Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks! He hasn’t a clue to put in, leave in, or take out. Milwaukee traded for Center S. Hawes, it took them a month for him to get PT. The same now for PF T. Jones, No PT. Now, C/PF Henson, and SG Vaughn are ahead of Jones? Pitiful! Hopefully Henson, Vaughn, Terry, and Kidd will all be gone next year! If Giannia A. Middleton, Monroe, Dellavedova, Snell, Beasley, aren’t playing, There are no wins, period!! Hopefully Jones can get with an actual team also next year, where he can Actually play! He deserves at least that, as does Hawes!
The trade for Hawes was made to dump Plumlee’s salary. Hawes is the 4th center on the roster, how much playing time do you expect him to get?
Hawes & Hibbert both were traded for Plumlee. and yes it was a salary dump. But, Both Hawes & Hibbert were also better Centers than Plumlee. As far as the 4th Center? Actually no, he isn’t Maker is actually a PF, playing Center, the same with Henson, a PF playing Center, Other than a left hand hook shot, Henson has no offense, he does block a shot every once in a while, as does maker. But, Not a great defender. Milwaukee should have traded Henson to Phoenix for PG/SG Knight, Their salaries match, and Knight played better here. Dellavedova is a backup, Brogdon is actually a SG, That’s what he was drafted for, Since Vaughn has been such a disappointment. The only “True” Centers on the Bucks, are Monroe, and Hawes. As anyone can see, Maker and Henson both avoid contact. Maker at 7’1″ is shooting 3’s?? Henson lets PG’s run the lane for layups? Now, as far as “How much time do I expect Hawes to get? he should actually either start, or backup Monroe who should start. If you noticed the Bucks were winning with Henson on the bench, with 5-6-7 DNP-CD. Since Parker is out, as is Teletovic, and Beasley, why not start T. Jones? The 6’9” 260lb. PF that just signed with them? He scored 31 points against the Bucks before, He has an outside shot, Can rebound, and plays defense! Monroe/Hawes, Jones, Giannis A., Middleton, and for now, Dellavedova, (Until Brogdon gets back) would work!!