After landing on the inactive list for Sunday’s game against the Celtics, Nikola Mirotic vented his frustrations to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Mirotic is a restricted free agent-to-be, and all signs point toward him parting ways with the Bulls over the offseason.
“It’s been difficult for me to understand,” Mirotic said. “Coach (Fred Hoiberg) told me I need to stay ready but didn’t give me any expectation when I can play. I know I can help those guys. Of course I’ve been inconsistent, but that’s been the whole team up and down. To be out of the rotation doesn’t make sense for me. I asked (Hoiberg) what can I do to be back in the rotation, what should I do differently? It looks like he wants to give an opportunity to the new guy on the team, Joffrey Lauvergne.”
As Mirotic alluded to, “inconsistency” appears to have hurt his value this season. The 26-year-old averaged 9.1 points on 30.2% shooting from long distance; each career-lows. Mirotic has received three consecutive DNPs, and the trend may continue through the season.
Mirotic isn’t alone in voicing criticisms of Chicago’s strategy (or lack thereof). Dwyane Wade chastised the team “experimenting” with lineups after the team’s fifth straight loss Sunday.
“I don’t know. I wish upper management could be answering the questions because I’m tired of answering them every game,” Wade said. “It’s tough, especially when you’re playing teams that’s ready for the playoffs, besides Orlando. It’s all been playoff teams and they’re ready. They know what they gotta do. We’re still…experimenting.”
Unlike Wade, a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, Mirotic’s remarks aren’t likely to move the needle. Mirotic will enter the open market following a season in which he posted career-lows in several areas. While the feeling may not be mutual with management, Mirotic has made it clear he wants to play in Chicago.
“I really wanted to stay because I came to Chicago because I wanted to play here,” Mirotic said. “For me, it was like another opportunity after the deadline. I really was focused. I was really working hard on myself to be the first guy in the weight room and working some extra shots, doing everything I was supposed to do to be ready. I was feeling much better on the floor. But they made the decision that’s been made. It’s been hard.”
Fire Gar
Fire Fred! Dude is not qualified to coach an NBA team
It cut off my comment. It was supposed to say fire Gar, Paz, Hoiberg and trade everyone and rebuild from scratch
I couldn’t agree more! Reinsdorfs diaper changers are all failures. EMBARRASSING!!!
They also need to get rid of the butt buddy primadonnas of Butler and Wade. Wade’s here to simply collect a check. The guy doesn’t practice and half-heartedly plays in only about 2/3 of the games.
Butler is an egotistical supporting role who amazingly convinced the morons that he’s a superstar. Guy is a stat-padding, garbage ball, hero ball, ball hog.
Yea, he’ll drop a lot of points against garbage teams, but he’s nowhere to be found against good teams.
That’s probably why he’s always mysteriously “sick” or “injured” anytime they have to play a truly good team.
That ego of his doesn’t want him to be exposed for the fraud he is.
Gut this entire team!
Another terrible pick since he wasn’t taught squat and speaks volumes on team HOTMESS lack of leadership
HATE Reinsdorf, GarPax, and Fred. Tough to be a fan of this team these days. No accountability and I feel as though they laugh in fans faces with their moves (or lack thereof). Just a needed reminder: in 16 years at the helm John Paxson has won 1 game in the eastern conference finals, in his clubs 1 appearance. I’d be hard pressed to find anyone else in all of sports with a similar tenure who has performed so poorly.
It’s just a boys club and a money-making scam. They prey on the blind loyalty of most Bulls fans (although that’s changing a lot).
They couldn’t care less about the fans, or putting true championship quality on the floor.
Just keep signing big names that are well past their prime, so that the casual fan will keep going. All about he shekels, goyim!
I’m coming up on 30, and everyone aro7nd my age who is still a bulls fan is only a fan because of Michael Jordan. (Outside of Chicago obviously) now, if I feel like being nostalgic or wanting to “support” Jordan, I watch a hornets game. The Bulls have been garbage since Jordan left. Not really sure why any of them still have jobs.
They all blow
I remember when Paxson kept harping and telling us to wait for Niko for THREE years. Now with his struggles this coward of a GM just vanishes. Niko is the WORST P
Paxon really blows
I like how everyone is blaming Gar/Pax for Mirotic sucking. Guy is billed as a shooter but can’t shoot
Morale has a lot to do with it. Even Niko said that there’s absolutely no consistency with this coach.
One day you’re the starter, the next you’re a reserve, the next you’re inactive, the next you’re a healthy DNP, the next you’re a starter…AGAIN.
Sorry, but that is NO WAY to coach a team, and it doesn’t make it easy to play your game to the best of your abilities. It’s demoralizing, and that equates to terrible play.