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Chicago Bulls: 4 Things Fans Want Answers To

By Allana Tachauer

Dec 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-100. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-100. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Oy-berg

In many ways, the hiring of Hoiberg was a controversial one. For starters, many believe Tom Thibodeau was doing an excellent job. After all, he held a 255-139 coaching record with Chicago, finishing first in the Eastern Conference his first two years and getting the team to the postseason all five years.

He seemed generally well-liked and respected by the players, and was a part of little to no drama.

But for whatever reason, he stopped getting along with the front office. And some fans found his inflexibility in coaching strategy to be getting a bit stale.

And so, this past summer, Thibodeau was let go, in a rather crass manner to boot.

Hoiberg, who already had a long-standing relationship with Forman, was hired shortly thereafter. His first time coaching a NBA team, the newbie was Iowa State University’s head coach for five years. He had previously played in the league as a shooting guard, selected No. 52 by the Indiana Pacers in the 1995 draft.

He signed with Chicago in 1999 and played there until he moved onto the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, Hoiberg had to have surgery in 2005 to correct an enlarged aortic root and ended up retiring the next year to join the Timberwolves front office.

When he was first announced as the next Bulls’ head coach, many called him the anti-Thibodeau. Instead of focusing on defense first and foremost, Hoiberg is known for his offensive dominance.  He runs a fast-paced game, and values the likes of strong 3-point shooters.

Regardless of how people felt when Thibodeau was ousted and Hoiberg came aboard, most are in agreement now: Hoiberg’s system just is not working. At least not yet.

For one, the team seems to be lacking an identity. Short of commentary on how lost they are this year, Chicago is really not getting credited for much of anything. Under Thibodeau, they had a strong, memorable presence.

There is also the problem of the Bulls coming in at the No. 20 spot in points scored, and sitting pretty much in the middle in most (if not all), offensive categories. And do not even mention their current defensive state.

Tack on the fact that Rose does not seem in sync with just about anyone on the floor, and that Bobby Portis is missing in action and it is easy to see that Hoiberg is just not cutting it.

Was bringing him on a huge mistake? Or can he learn, moving forward? And what will happen to the fate of this team, if Hoiberg does not change his ways?

Next: Through Rose Colored Glasses

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