As the Chicago Bulls continue to battle for one of the last playoff berths in the Eastern Conference, Fred Hoiberg was asked how he feels about it and was quick to admit that it's a “miserable” experience. However, for Jimmy Butler, he knows what he really meant by that.
The three-time All-Star clarified his head coach's statement, via Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, and said he was only trying to be politically correct. He also added that Hoiberg is enjoying the moment and looking forward to the challenge they have on hand.
“He doesn't want to tell you all, but he has fun,” Butler said with a grin. “He comes in here smiling like everybody else. He's just trying to tell you all the politically correct answers. Fred is having fun, I don't care what he has to say.”
The Bulls are currently in ninth place in their conference but are only a game-and-a-half behind the Miami Heat, with 10 games left on their schedule. Although it would also help them if the other teams they are contending with will drop some matches, Hoiberg wants his team to control their own fate by winning as many games as they can, starting on Friday against the Philadelphia 7ers.
“We just have to worry about ourselves,” he said. “We have to come back with a great effort. We have to have a good focused shootaround for Philadelphia. It's a team that has been playing very well lately. We have to be locked in and get off to a good start.”
He may be having fun, as Butler said, but it is going to be a difficult task as well. Already shorthanded with Dwyane Wade out, the Bulls will need to play at their best if they want to make a postseason appearance. For what it's worth, Hoiberg might have been downplaying the situation as well to ease some of the pressure on his players, and help them get the job done.
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