The Bulls lost their second straight game Saturday night with 107-91 defeat at the hands of the Knicks, and Chicago All-Star Jimmy Butler is pointing fingers at first-year head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Hoiberg, 43, is a far cry from the rough personality Butler may be used to from his seasons with Tom Thibodeau, but Butler seems to think Hoiberg’s hands-off approach is to the detriment of the team.
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"I believe in the guys in this locker room, but I also believe we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times," Butler told reporters after Saturday’s game, via the Chicago Tribune. "I’m sorry, I know Fred is a laid-back guy and I really respect him for that, but when guys aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do, you have to get on guys — myself included."
Those words could be considered inappropriate, but coming from a player such as Butler, who started Saturday after logging 56 minutes in Friday night’s four-overtime loss to the Pistons, there may be some merit to his opinion as Hoiberg adjusts to a head coaching role on the professional level.
"It's not even about being coached a certain way for five years, it's making everybody do their job," Butler said. "We weren't doing what we were supposed to be doing. Nobody spoke up about it. I did (but) probably not enough times. I think that (Hoiberg) has to hold everybody accountable from the No. 1 player all the way to however many guys we have. Everybody has to do their job. When you match up and do your job we'll win the game."