New head coach Jim Boylen ran the second practice of his new tenure at the helm of the Chicago Bulls, and if his introductory press conference wasn't enough sign of it, Boylen intends to make clear changes in Chicago. For starters, the new coach intends to put the Bulls' $40 million signing to work right away, as Boylen stressed Jabari Parker is “committed to working” at his transition defense — an area that has left much to be desired.
“Jabari has been great,” said Boylen, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. “He understands. Jabari wants to make it about helping the team win. And that’s what I’ve asked him to do.”
Furthermore, Boylen noted this would be a completely different experience than having him as the associate head coach, clearly hoping to establish his position at the helm of this roster.
“This whole thing is going to be an interactive experience,” said Boylen. “As much as I’m the leader, I understand a guy needs a say in his role and what he can do. I’m open to that. But when we get on this floor, we gotta do what I ask them to do.”
While there are strong suggestions that Boylen was really the one coaching the team, not the recently fired Fred Hoiberg, the new head coach stressed his role in his previous job.
“Fred wanted me to assume the (bad cop) role to help him win and to help him grow this group. The role he gave me, I did to the best of my ability. You can ask the guys. I’ve been honest and direct since the first day I was here. And that’s not going to change.”
Jim Boylen is taking over a Bulls team at 5-19, facing an Indiana Pacers team without its main star in Victor Oladipo — the perfect stage to nab a win and make a rousing start to a new wave in The Windy City.
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