Pippen Ain't Easy
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Pippen Ain’t Easy roundtable: The Pre-2017 NBA Draft Edition

By Michael Whitlow

Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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What will Fred Hoiberg and the Chicago Bulls do in the 2017 NBA Draft?
Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts to a foul call during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

MW: I’m not sure there’s anything the Bulls can do if they feel Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade can help them in 2017-18. If they’re going to do anything, get those older players and contracts off your books and actually give yourself flexibility. But, with a free agent class that’s not as strong as years past, the Bulls “running it back” this season is probably the most likely option with the “Three Alphas” and an 82-game run of mediocrity that’ll probably end just like this year did: a playoff series loss in the first round and playoff revenue for Jerry Reinsdorf to spend in Boca.

Speaking of mediocrity, what are your thoughts on Fred Hoiberg being tagged in some recent college gig rumors? Do you think his future in Chicago is ending sooner rather than later?

DC: Almost no chance that a coach would leave money on the table. If you’re going out, you either need a godfather offer, or you need to George Costanza aka Tom Thibodeau your way out of a job – get them to fire you so you can keep cashing their paychecks while you move on.

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DB: Hoiberg signed a five year contract in the summer of 2015, so if my math is right he should be the Bulls coach through the 2020-21 season. If the Bulls front office doesn’t attempt to make moves on actual pace and space players after Rondo and Wade are off the books, I would think Hoiberg leaves. However that wouldn’t be until after the upcoming season (presumably), leaving Hoiberg only two seasons to work with. So I think Hoiberg sticks his contract out and then leaves for college after.

WL: Maybe Urban Meyer could coach the Bulls?

PS: Hoiberg will stick around for the duration of his contract because GarPax are afraid to look like they made a bad decision. True role models for admitting your mistakes.

BF: Up to this point, I think he seems more like a college coach. He may stick it in how Chicago for the remainder, but I see him eventually going back to college.

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