Chicago Bulls: 3 takeaways from Fred Hoiberg firing

3. The writing was on the wall

Although the Bulls were a difficult team to watch last season, the fact that they won 27 games could be considered an accomplishment, depending upon your perspective. When they dropped three of their first 23 games, there was no way this team should have come close to the 30-win plateau.

But thanks to a seven-game winning streak in which they went 10-6 during the month of December, that is exactly what happened. Since the rebuild had just begun, Hoiberg’s job was considered safe, and rightfully so.

So, for the second straight season, the front office advised that the head coach would not be judged solely on wins and losses, but by the development of the players on the roster. This mantra changed, however, once the Bulls fell 19 games below .500 following a 121-105 loss to the Houston Rockets this past weekend.

Given another poor start, combined with the fact the front office was trying to avoid repeat of what happened last season, someone was going to be blamed for what was taking place. And as is the case in most instances, the head coach was the fall guy.