Loenser learning to adjust
With heavy turnover, Windy City coach always being tested
There have been instances early on in Nate Loenser’s coaching career with the Windy City Bulls when his management skills have been tested in ways that have little to do with his game planning.
Loenser’s ability to handle the expectation level of his players is tested when Windy City’s NBA parent club sends talent his way.
Bulls guard Doug McDermott spent two days practicing with Windy City this week after forward Cristiano Felicio and guards Jerian Grant and R. J. Hunter played heavy minutes last week in a win over the Delaware 87ers.
Having an NBA Development League in such close proximity has provided the Bulls with a better option than in the past when injured players like former forward Mike Dunleavy were sent to Santa Cruz, California, while others were dispatched to Canton, Ohio, and Austin, Texas.
The commute to suburban Hoffman Estates makes life much easier for Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg.
“It gives us the option at any time to send one of our guys back to try and get their timing back,” Hoiberg said. “So having that team in our backyard has been a real luxury.”
It however presents a challenge for Loenser, who says NBA players can stay anywhere from a few days to a matter of hours.
Although Loenser maintains a solid relationship with Hoiberg and the Bulls’ front office, having talent sent to him for small stretches requires some adjustment. It also means players must sacrifice their normal game- time minutes.
That’s when Loenser has to manage personalities as much as anything.
“Guys understand that they’re important and that there’s not anything necessarily that they’ve done wrong,” Loenser said. “There might be a different dynamic with playing time one night in a game or a role might be a little different.
“I’ll be honest — this is a little different for me, but I’ve tried to take a positive approach to it and I think that’s rubbed off a little bit on our guys.”
The victory over the 87ers came in the midst of a three- game winning streak for Windy City ( 5- 4). Grant, Felicio and Hunter combined for 73 of Windy City’s 121 points in their only game before returning to the NBA.
Hoiberg said that injured forward Michael CarterWilliams could spend some time with Windy City.
Loenser attempts to keep things as normal as possible regardless of who is on his roster. But he said having NBA talent around can serve as a motivational factor for players who are attempting to reach the next level.
“When you’ve got good guys on your team and you’re getting good guys getting sent to you, at the end of the day, everybody is just trying to get better as a basketball player,” Loenser said. “When everybody has that common goal, then things work out.”