After firing Fred Hoiberg due to to the Chicago Bulls' poor start to the season amid a supposed lack of spirit, the team promoted associate head coach Jim Boylen, a Gregg Popovich disciple. 

Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis and Kris Dunn have all suffered injuries this season. Even with Zach LaVine’s breakout season, these injuries have made it difficult for the Bulls to be competitive on a nightly basis. Hoiberg even gave LaVine freedom to play as he wished offensively. Boylen was promoted to create a more disciplined culture.

After some weekend drama, Boylen told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

“My job is to push players out of their comfort zone. That’s what the Reinsdorfs are paying me for.”

Jim Boylen is under contract through the 2019 season, and Chicago’s front office has made it clear that he’s there to stay.

Since the Bulls removed the interim tag on Boylen's head coaching duties, there has been a negative response from Bulls players due to his hard-charging ways.

After losing to the Boston Celtics by 56 points, the worst loss in franchise history, Boylen told the media he would be calling a practice on a Sunday afternoon after a back-to-back.

His own players revolted, refusing to practice, and instead called a joint team and player meeting led by Zach LaVine and Justin Holiday. Robin Lopez and Lauri Markkanen were reportedly against not showing up at all, so the issues were settled in these meetings instead of boycotting the practice entirely.

The Bulls continue to crumble beneath their own mediocrity. How Jim Boylen handles the roster moving forward will shape the franchise’s future.