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Chicago Bulls: What Will Happen Now?

By Allana Tachauer

Dec 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg checks the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at United Center. The Bulls won 115-96. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg checks the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at United Center. The Bulls won 115-96. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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What will happen next with the Chicago Bulls in 2015-16?

The Chicago Bulls have had a rather peculiar first half of the 2015-16 NBA season.

It started out with the introduction of a new coach, Fred Hoiberg, who right off the bat made it obvious that his approach would be nothing like Tom Thibodeau’s was.

Then came Derrick Rose‘s orbital fracture, the umpteenth injury in only the last few years for the face of the franchise. Next was the news that star Joakim Noah would come off the bench behind Nikola Mirotic, followed by a whirlwind of unexpected losses, currently placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference, with a 15-11 record.

But things are only about to get that much more interesting.

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Coming into this year, there were rumors about a rift between Rose and Jimmy Butler; both sides first ignored, then denied the fact, despite many arguing that the tension was quite apparent. Since the season began, that issue (or non-issue, depending on what you choose to believe) has been dropped, but unfortunately a new one has arisen.

Following a 16-point loss to the New York Knicks earlier this week, Butler criticized Hoiberg for not pushing the team “hard enough.” This did not sit well with many fans around the league, but beyond that, led to more disruption within the organization. It is hard enough for a team to adjust to a new coach and new teammates without having one of its top players publicly assign blame for a turbulent few months.

Regardless of which side you take (in other words, if you consider it a problem or not that Butler was so vocal about Hoiberg’s coaching tactics), one thing is undeniable: currently, the Bulls are not comfortable with the leadership they have. And at least one of the members is not afraid to make that known. The question now becomes, how long will this discrepancy last, and what will be done about it?

But the problem between Butler and Hoiberg is not the end of Chicago’s recent woes.

Noah, who was already mixed up in the trade rumor mill, has additional concerns to worry about. As of Wednesday, it was announced that the big man will be out for the next 2-4 weeks; during the team’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, Noah suffered a shoulder sprain. And although the X-ray was negative, a MRI showed a slight tear, the result of his shoulder popping out and back in during play.

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    • Noah has been mediocre at best for the majority of this season. But not having him at all is much worse. Take that, combined with the fact that now his trade value has decreased and, well, the Bulls sure have a complicated matter regarding their center on their hands.

    What else is wrong?

    Well, Rose is not exactly having his best year ever. And already has 2017 free agency on the brain.

    Mirotic and Tony Snell have not developed quite as expected (though in their defense, who could really progress in such an environment?) Bobby Portis is not getting nearly enough playing time. And yes, Pau Gasol will probably retire soon.

    So what will happen now?

    First, hopefully Hoiberg can take some of what Butler said under consideration (and Butler can stop speaking his mind so…freely), as evidently changes do need to be made in order move forward successfully.

    And maybe these changes will help rectify the struggles that those like Snell and Portis are having. Heck, they may even resuscitate both Rose’s abilities on the floor and overall motivation to keep giving the team his all.

    As for Noah, it seems like Chicago is already trying to trade him, along with Gasol and Taj Gibson. Obviously it depends who the trade is with and what players the Bulls will get in return, but perhaps shaking things up is exactly what the team needs to start winning again. After all, they have lost their last three in a row.

    All in all, Chicago cannot afford to keep going down the same path. The organization needs to reevaluate itself and do whatever it takes to get back on track.

    More hoops habit: NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team's Wish List

    Perhaps the team will be given the gift of a win on Christmas Day, as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

    At the end of the day, something has to give, right?

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