Jimmy Butler (Photo : Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images Sport)
Quick to the draw, NBA rumors now have Chicago Bulls' Fred Hoiberg as a potential occupant of the hot seat.
It might be very preemptive at this point, but in the NBA, an outburst from the team superstar combined with failure to reach fan expectations could be enough to spark the discussion.
Hoiberg now has both. Jimmy Butler had critical comments shared on ESPN after a loss to the New York Knicks.
"I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah," Butler responded to a question about a possible shakeup, "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."
The Chicago Bulls' new star has delivered it diplomatically, but it seems clear that Butler does not believe that Hoiberg motivates or corrects them sufficiently. He also dodged calling out any particular teammate.
It was expected that some players would struggle with the shift in philosophy from defense-centric Tom Thibodeau to Hoiberg who wants to speed up the tempo. Based on Butler's statements The former Iowa coach could not push the right buttons on his players.
Thibodeau was partly blamed for Derrick Rose's injuries as he would grind out his best players in order to win. While this assessment is too subjective to evaluate, it was noted by Chicago Bulls blog Pippen Ain't Easy that Thibs was still loved by his players especially Butler who blossomed during Thibs' reign.
"Tom Thibodeau may have been looked at as a dictator during his time with the Bulls, but no player ever called their coach out over his coaching style," PAE pointed out. "Thibodeau was a mad man at times, but his players worked harder than any team in the league."
While Hoiberg is presented as a "players' coach," this did not sit well with Chicago's veterans and since they're losing, the coach must adjust.
