Early on for Bulls, it’s best wishes, happy Holiday
There’s a good chance that JustinHoliday might be the best player on the court for the Bulls.
Well, at least until December, when Zach LaVine’s left knee is finally healed.
But until then, Holiday has no problem filling that role and the stat sheet.
“I’m very comfortable being relied on,’’ Holiday said. “That’s something I’ve waited for a long time. It’s just when I think about the game, usually when I was trying to make a team, I had to think about myself and how I can do this, but I have to look at how the team is doing and bring that into my mind instead of just worrying about me.’’
That mentality is a big reason why Holiday has emerged as a team leader as well as the Bulls’ go- to scorer. Even when LaVine returns, that leadership role is not expected to change.
“I’m embracing it and trying to enjoy it,’’ Holiday said. “I’m glad I’m in this role. Like I keep saying, doing what’s best for the team, not for myself. I’m enjoying every second of it. I know it’s early, but I hope I can continue to grow and continue to help this team grow, and we can do something special this year.
“I knew I was going to be in a leadership role. I knew we had RoLo [ Robin Lopez], other guys, so I just wasn’t quite sure where it was going to be or how it was going to come about.
“I could not say it would be like this.’’
Keeping placewarm?
Few Bulls have a spot cemented as the regular season gets set to tip off, but Hoiberg cleared up the notion that Nikola Mirotic is simply keeping the starting job warm for Lauri Markkanen.
“Niko has been really, really good,’’ Hoiberg said. “He’s bought into making simple plays. He’s really been solid in making good, simple basketball plays, and that’s the reason right now that he’s starting.’’
Hoiberg pointed out that his role could change as the season goes on, but there’s also the factor of how Mirotic meshes with the other starters compared to Markkanen.
Mirotic is more concerned about making sure he’s on the floor to finish games, and that means continuing to show improvement on defense.
“I thinkmy defense has been much better,’’ saidMirotic, who has added 20- plus pounds of muscle this offseason. “I can feel that those guys can’t push me like they used to, especially in the low post.’’
No Zip
Markkanen got the starting nod in the preseason finale Friday, but that was because Paul Zipser was sidelined with a sore back.
Hoiberg thought the injury was minor and wanted to see how a front line of Markkanen, Mirotic and Lopez would look together for future reference.
Zipser was expected back in the starting lineup in Toronto on Thursday for the season opener.