The Chicago Bulls lost at the hands of the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Saturday night, 107-91. The Bulls went into the game off a heartbreaking quadruple-overtime loss against the Detroit Pistons the night before, so a drop-off was somewhat expected.
What was not expected? A backlash towards the coach after the game.
Jimmy Butler, who had 12 points and five assists on the night, was very critical of Fred Hoiberg, the Bulls’ first-year coach:
Jimmy Butler on Fred Hoiberg: "We probably have to be coached a lot harder at times." #Bulls
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) December 20, 2015
Jimmy Butler on Fred Hoiberg not calling out players: "I know it’s really not in him like that but I think at times that’s what we need."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) December 20, 2015
The fifth-year vet signed a max contract during free agency this past summer, a 5-year deal worth $90 million. Butler has definitely earned his own since coming into the league. He played a much more minuscule role on the Bulls in his first two seasons.
Butler’s teammate Joakim Noah, who scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on the night, had a different opinion when he was asked about the situation:
Asked Joakim Noah if #Bulls could be coached harder: "Do I think that we can get coached harder? Naw."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) December 20, 2015
On top of losing the game, the Bulls might have taken a hit, with Doug McDermott having to leave the game early with a knee injury. Reports are the knee was just sore, but it is the same knee on which McDermott has had meniscus surgery.
It was a frustrating night for the Bulls, who have established high standards and faced accordingly lofty expectations over the past few seasons. To lose two tough games on consecutive nights will undoubtedly bring out the worst in some people.
Hoiberg’s coaching style and mentality are definitely different from that of former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, but Butler needs to get used to it, as Hoiberg is in the first year of a five-year, $25 million contract.
