Hoiberg: Everything is on the table
ATLANTA— The Bulls host the Kings on Saturday, and after the debacle on Friday in Atlanta, everything is going to be evaluated.
Coach FredHoiberg sounded like everything and everyone was in play.
“Sure there are,’’ Hoiberg said when asked if there were changes he could make to jump- start the team. “There always is. Again, we’ll look at everything. We have a short amount of time to prep for this game [ against the Kings], but, yeah, we will. We’ll have some discussions on the plane and [ Saturday] all day long and see what we want to do.’’
Because what they’ve been doing just isn’t working.
Sure, the second unit made it a five- point game with a minute left in garbage time, but the rest of the evening was pure embarrassment as the Hawks manhandled the Bulls 102- 93, and it wasn’t even that close.
When the starters are outscored 35- 13 and have eight turnovers in the first quarter, it seldom is close.
The woeful loss prompted DwyaneWade to tweet: ‘‘ That performance was AWFUL!!! I apologize to all the Chicago fans andWade fans.’’
That’s why Hoiberg is going to re- evaluate his entire roster and decide if he needs to move or sit some pieces. At 21- 23, the Bulls look like they have accepted a relaxed style of ball.
“I sure as hell hope not,’’ Hoiberg said. “With the importance of every game, being where we are right now, fighting for a spot in the playoffs. It’s gotta be something inside you that wants to go out and compete, give yourself an opportunity to win basketball games.’’
Jimmy Butler, who finished with 19 points, was also feeling that enough is enough.
“I’ve been . . . We have been tired of this,’’ Butler said. “We need to be better, man. It’s terrible basketball.’’
More Rondo talk
Now that Rajon Rondo is firmly back in the rotation, coming off the bench with the second unit, Hoiberg was asked if he felt the situation could have turned bad, especially after he benched the former starter for five- plus games.
“Well, sure,’’ Hoiberg said. “It can always go a couple different ways. But I give Rajon a lot of credit for being where he is in his career and all the things he’s accomplished, to accept the role that’s been given to him now. And again, he’s been terrific for us and again, the biggest thing he’s done is been a mentor to these younger players and hopefully he’ll continue to do that.’’
Rock the vote
Butler said that he voted for Wade for the All- Star Game, and whileWade wasn’t named a starter, Butler’s hope was thatWade would be named a reserve when the rest of the team is announced Thursday.
Wade doesn’t seem concerned either way.
“Nah, I don’t worry about it,’’ Wade said. “I think it’s great that guys get opportunities to be on there. There are a lot of guys that are having great years and it means a lot to those guys to get that nod. I remember my first few times. I’ve been there 12 times. If you get called up you get called, but I don’t worry about that.’’