The Chicago Bulls are faring well this 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season despite the change in their head coach, but All-Star guard Jimmy Butler believes it is not enough.
Following their second consecutive loss suffered in the hands of the New York Knicks (107–91) last Saturday, Butler had some comments about head coach Fred Hoiberg's coaching.
Butler told reporters, "I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah. But I also believe that we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times.
"I'm sorry, I know Fred's a laid-back guy, and I really respect him for that, but when guys aren't doing what they're supposed to do, you got to get on guys, myself included. You got to do what you're supposed to do when you're out there playing basketball," Butler added.
Hoiberg, who is in his first year with Chicago, took over in the offseason replacing Tom Thibodeau who was the head coach of the team for five seasons.
Thibodeau led the Bulls to the playoffs in each of those years, but as they fell in the second round of the playoffs last season against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his time with the team ended.
Hoiberg left his duties with Iowa State to take the head coaching job with the Bulls and so far this season, the team is at 15–10 for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
However, Butler thinks Hoiberg should assure that everyone is doing their job and should be held accountable.
The 26-year-old guard also believes Hoiberg should call out players, even him, each time they are not doing what they should do.
Despite Butler's outlook on their coach and himself, the former Marquette Golden Eagle is playing well this season, averaging 21.4 points, five rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in 37.5 minutes of action per outing.
Butler, Hoiberg, and the Bulls will look to continue building good chemistry when they host the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center today, Monday.
