Hoiberg denies rumored rift with Butler
HOUSTON — Underachievement and trade speculation go hand in hand in the NBA.
Another national report said teams would make a run at Jimmy Butler this offseason, sensing the relationship between the two-time All-Star and coach Fred Hoiberg was damaged.
That report appeared to be news to Hoiberg, who reaffirmed Butler’s importance to the franchise and said the idea that their relationship was rocky was “completely false.’’
“That’s not the reality at all,’’ Hoiberg said Thursday. “Jimmy and I have a very good relationship. Obviously, I have a lot of trust in Jimmy, putting the ball in his hands late to help us finish games. I communicate with Jimmy as much as anyone on this team, and I think very highly of him for what he’s done with his game over the course of his career. I’ve always been a fan of his.’’
Butler publicly criticized Hoiberg in December, saying he needed to be harder on the team and hold players more accountable, but they have worked on the relationship. It’s not perfect by any means, but it has improved.
The Bulls are expected to move on from Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, but the goal is to keep the starting backcourt intact. Obviously, a megadeal could change all that for Butler or Derrick Rose, but Hoiberg sounded as if Butler is in the core moving forward.
“Well, I haven’t heard anything about [the Butler rumors],’’ Hoiberg said. “I obviously think the world of [Butler] for how hard he pushes himself and how much he has improved his game over the years with his work ethic. I think that rubs off on the other guys. So Jimmy is absolutely a very important part of this team.’’
Hoiberg also revealed that Butler is dealing with back and other leg injuries while recovering from the left knee injury that cost him over a month.
“He’s out there fighting through it, battling through it,’’ Hoiberg said.
“He understands everything that’s at stake right now. He’s not going to leave his teammates out to dry.’’
Good news on Gasol
While Gasol’s right knee issues aren’t going away, there has been improvement. That’s why his minutes have increased the last few games.
“Pau is beat up,’’ Hoiberg said. “But he’s getting better. The knee doesn’t swell up like it was initially after the injury occurred. We’ve upped his minutes. I think he’s been more effective now that we’re playing him for 10 consecutive minutes as opposed to five or six when he initially came back. I’d say Pau feels good, but he’s nowhere near 100 percent.’’