The Bulls’ poor performance in December could cost coach Fred Hoiberg his job, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
Sources tell Stein that Chicago is “increasingly assessing the coaching fit” as the team slides down the Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls stand at .500 after going 6-9 this month and recently went through a stretch where they dropped six of seven. Back-to-back wins this week over the Pacers and Nets have done little to ease the feeling that a coaching change might be necessary.
The 44-year-old Hoiberg is in just his second season as an NBA coach after leaving Iowa State, and the Bulls’ front office is concerned that he hasn’t been able to take control of a veteran roster. He has been protected so far by a five-year contract worth about $25MM that would cost the organization a significant amount of guaranteed money if he is fired.
Hoiberg still has a strong supporter in GM Gar Forman, who identified him as Tom Thibodeau’s successor well before a coaching change was made. Hoiberg was considered to be an innovator on offense, but Stein points out that the Bulls’ attack remains predictable and still relies heavily on isolation.
Some of that is due to a roster that doesn’t fit Hoiberg’s preferred approach of pushing tempo and spreading the floor. Chicago’s main additions this offseason were Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, two veteran guards who are limited threats from 3-point range.
Those moves were made by Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, who are also targets of growing fan frustration, Stein notes.
Chicago currently has a tenuous hold on the final playoff spot, just a half-game ahead of the Wizards and only two games above the 12th-place Magic. If the team’s fortunes don’t improve quickly, Hoiberg could become this season’s first coach to be replaced.
Hoiberg never had a shot with this roster, but he clearly doesn’t have what it takes to coach in the NBA. However, the people above him need to be evaluated too. The last 2-3 years have been marred with public feuds and poor personnel decisions. They need to choose to move in a specific direction and these men shouldn’t be the ones to make that move.
The contract for Hoiberg, the inability to make trades, the poor development/acquisitions of Niko, Doug, and Portis among others, the failure to move Pau at the deadline, the public feuds with players and coaches, the lack of accountability, must I go on?
I guess growing up thru the Jordan era spoiled me. The Bulls need a complete makeover. I don’t care how much he overused players Tibs was a good coach.
Coaching has never been the problem with this team. Josc2 pretty much nailed precisely why the Bulls are a mess. There has been no accountability for the poor personnel moves, which has led to an increasingly dysfunctional roster.
Bobby Knight is available. He has patience.
As good as Taj Gibson has been, I think they need to change the rotation where he and Rondo come off the bench…the problem is that all of their guards have been terrible. Thought Denzel Valentine could contribute. I’d go with one of the PGs, Wade, Butler, McDermott, and Lopez and bring Taj, Rondo, and Mirotic off the bench. Maybe try to get more balance out there, and a little more spacing with both units
Hoiberg needs to go in a heartbeat. Gar Forman made a big mistake letting tibs go. Who would fit for the job?
Are you serious? This team can’t hit an open jump shot. No coach can win with this roster.
I agree who could do better with that roster, 3 ball dominant guards, 2 of them don’t space the floor, big men are just decent. Rondo was great in Boston because Allen and pierce and Garnett could shoot the crap out of it. Wade had shaq and then the big 3 with other shooters. This team has McDermott and who else? Idk I don’t watch them every night but I just think it’s extreme when people claim that hoiberg doesn’t have what it takes to coach in the league. The media needs stories, any chance for drama they look to hype it up especially if the team isn’t winning.
Hard to pass up on getting d wade, and hard to pass up on a smart veteran pg like rondo on a decent contract. So I don’t blame the gm either. Shoot I’d be glad they got rid of Rose and didn’t pay what the Knicks did for Noah.