The Chicago Bulls aren’t too hot nor too cold, but according to their star player Jimmy Butler, the Bulls will need more than a laid back approach from their new head coach Fred Hoiberg. The Bulls are coming off back to back loses to the New York Knicks from Saturday night and a four-overtime thriller to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. After the loss to the Knicks, Butler spoke a piece of his mind about the direction of the team under Hoiberg.
From ESPN.com:
“Chicago Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler had some harsh words for first-year coach Fred Hoiberg after Saturday night’s 107-91 loss to the New York Knicks.
When asked whether a shakeup is needed in order for the Bulls to start playing at an appropriate level, Butler was blunt in his assessment.
“I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah,” Butler said. “But I also believe that we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times. I’m sorry, I know Fred’s a laid-back guy, and I really respect him for that, but when guys aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do, you got to get on guys, myself included. You got to do what you’re supposed to do when you’re out there playing basketball.”
It’s also worth mentioning that Butler’s frustrations stem from a variety of possible reasons: Thibodeaux’s style of coaching is what he’s accustomed to, there is a change of pace in terms of basketball philosophy installed by Hoiberg and last but not least, Hoiberg is in his first season as an NBA coach. Hoiberg was previously at Iowa State. Hopefully for Hoiberg and his team, common ground is reached before it’s too late.
