Hoiberg says he decides playing time, not Gar/Pax
NEW YORK— General manager Gar Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson obviously had issues with former coach Tom Thibodeau.
One of the areas of dispute— which they leaked to certain media outlets— was that they wanted Thibodeau to give the younger players on the roster more playing time.
Bulls second- year coach Fred Hoiberg wasn’t about to comment on that, but he insisted that all decisions on playing time and the rotation are made by him and his staff.
“Yeah, it’s up to us,’’ Hoiberg said. “How they’re practicing will determine who will get the opportunities, and they have left that up to me, left that up to our staff to determine who we’re going to have out there in the rotations.’’
Hoiberg believes a coach must have that authority.
“Yeah, I think so,’’ Hoiberg said. “I think you have to have that communication, and ultimately it’s up to the coaching staff to determine who we put out there on the floor.’’
Hoiberg is unique in that he has seen all three sides of that argument at the NBA level. He played for three teams and was an assistant general manager with the Timberwolves.
So he gets that there’s a balance of developing youth and doing it in a way that doesn’t lead to losses.
“It’s an 82- game season,’’ Hoiberg said. “Everybody is going to get opportunities at some point over the course of the year. I’m confident in that. All 15 guys [ will play], just with the different scenarios that will come up over the long haul.
“I kind of compare it to my situation. I played every possible role you can play on an NBA roster. I sat on the bench; I was a 12th man; I was a starter. I played every role possible.
‘‘ The one thing you have to do is keep yourself ready when your name is called. I’m confident that we’ve got a group of guys that will do that.’’
The premise that Thibodeau didn’t develop youth to the liking of Gar/ Pax is pretty much disproved by Tony Snell’s career path.
Snell played in more games and was more productive under Thibodeau before it became evident last season under Hoiberg that Snell and the Bulls didn’t have a future together.
A 2013 first- round pick, Snell was moved to the Bucks two weeks ago in the Michael Carter- Williams deal. The front office finally realized that the 6- 7 forward hit his talent ceiling long ago.
Mascot fighter
YouTube is filled with videos of Bulls center Robin Lopez having physical confrontations with mascots— mostly in good fun.
Hoiberg was asked about it Monday and didn’t seem to mind.
“As long as it’s not coach assaults,’’ Hoiberg said, laughing.
Hoiberg also will never have to be concerned about Lopez’s work ethic.
“He was always a hard- hat, lunch- pail type of player who went out and did his job,’’ Hoiberg said. “We haven’t seen anything different. He’s always on time, been great as an example for our young guys. He’s been a really good teammate.’’
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