Pippen Ain't Easy
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Fixing Fred Hoiberg’s Coaching Misfires with the Bulls

By Michael RENE KANOY

Mar 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the New York Knicks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the New York Knicks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Dunleavy didn't get a chance to really flourish with Fred Hoiberg due to a back injury.
Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) moves the ball down the court during the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Hoiball isn’t for everyone

Last season revealed several players who no longer should be part of the Bulls rotation. The Bulls were playing three 30-year old plus starters in Gasol, Dunleavy and Gibson for most of the year. It was only during the last 10 games or so where the Bulls were they consistently scored 30-point first quarters.

We know that Fred Hoiberg is a nice guy and a player’s coach who finds ways for players to contribute to the team, but he must never babysit any player and give him minutes at the expense of the development of the stronger players on the team.

Hoiball as a pace-and-space game does not work for everyone. Some of the Bulls players showed they can play the system. Some players slowed the team down.  Brooks doesn’t pass unless you scold him. Butler can still be useful and play deadlier in the off-ball offense via lobs or cutting backdoor or in the middle for trailer putbacks, but not as an isolation jump shooter.

The Bulls need to have their young core develop and that means sharing the ball and letting the tall and long shooters score. Hoiberg must play McDermott, Mirotic and Portis as the team’s main guns along with Rose and using Jimmy as a lethal off-ball offensive option and have him accumulate his stats in that role.

Next: Hoiberg must balance minutes in 2016-17

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