There is no doubt that the Chicago Bulls had a rocky season. It all began with changes to the coaching staff, where the Bulls hired Fred Hoiberg to replace the successful Tom Thibodeau.
The Bulls had issues adjusting to the new offensive system, and flat out didn't give the same effort as prior years. This prompted Jimmy Butler to take his thoughts to the media, saying the team needed to be ‘coached harder', but it wasn't enough to stop the Bulls from missing the postseason altogether for the first time in years.
While Butler insisted his comments weren't meant as a shot at Hoiberg, it made for an awkward piece of their story together. Butler recently claimed things have improved between he and the coach since then, and even though they don't agree on everything, he is quite happy where they are. He recently talked to the Chicago Tribune about Hoiberg:
I think we're on a pretty good page right now. I'm not going to say we're alike in every single way. But we both want to win. And we both have the team's best interest at heart. It's learning for both of us. I have to learn more about him. He has to learn more about me. That's what this summer is for. I'll sit down and have a beer with the guy. I’m always learning. I always want to know how to get better. As long as I’m willing to take criticism, I’ll be fine
Butler admitting that he wants to make things work is a significant step in the right direction, especially now that they've had a year to work together and sort out what their differences are. When Butler's teammates see that he's doing his best to become a leader, they'll try to make it work as well.
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