Dec. 20--The Chicago Bulls dropped to 15-10 with their 107-91 loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Here are three observations.
Troubled times could be coming
Much of the discussion in the coming days will be about what happened in the Bulls locker room after the game when Jimmy Butler called out coach Fred Hoiberg for not motivating the team correctly.
Butler's comments weren't off the cuff as the veteran circled back two times after the initial question about whether he believed the Bulls had the players to be successful. While Butler indicated that the players need to do their part, it's up to Hoiberg to take charge.
"It's on everybody but I think when it's coming from him, it's a lot different," Butler said. "It's different when a player is telling another player and (when) the coach is telling a player. I know it's really not in him like that but I think at times that's what we need.
Butler indicated that it is different playing for Hoiberg than Tom Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls for five seasons before being fired.
"Basketball is basketball," Butler said. "Players come play the game, but it's different. I'm not going to say it's not."
Bobby Portis can play
Portis, the Bulls' top pick (22nd overall) in the 2015 draft, hasn't had many opportunities to showcase his skills but came up big against Knicks. With Pau Gasol back in Chicago resting following Friday night's Marathon on Madison, Portis got his opportunity and entered the game to start the second quarter. The rookie finished with a career-high 20 points and ran the court well.
"Bobby played very well," Hoiberg said. "He missed a couple of shots he normally would finish (and) he missed a couple of free throws. He was very close to a 30-point game out there. Really good for a guy who hasn't had many meaningful minutes to go out and perform like that in the Garden. I know it's an intimidating place to play, especially for that first time."
Said teammate Joakim Noah: "I'm really happy for the rook. He's somebody who works extremely hard every day. He's got a great attitude and he's somebody who is a great talent and the future is really bright for him."
The effort against the Knicks should earn Portis a bigger role as the season progresses.
"We'll have a lot to talk about in the next couple of days and some decisions to make," Hoiberg said. "I don't know how serious Doug (McDermott's) knee issue is. It swelled up on him a little out there. We'll get back and assess everything and get back to work at our shoot-around on Monday."
Noah deserves another opportunity to be in the starting lineup
The New York City native was terrific while most of his teammates were sleepwalking throughout the game. After starting throughout much of his career, the center has been coming off the bench. After watching him Saturday, it's clear that Noah can provide the kind of energy that the first unit has been lacking at times.
"When Jo's in there the ball moves so much better," Hoiberg said. "We just have to get that way with everybody. It got to a point where we were just aimlessly running down the floor. We weren't getting to our spots in our initial break."
Hoiberg said it's nice knowing that Noah remains a strong option for the starting lineup.
"He's been such a good catalyst leader of that second unit, that's why we've had him there," Hoiberg said. "He's finished a lot of the games."
Noah said he was "a little happy" after taking the opening tip.
"Getting the start back home, in front of my people, it's a good feeling," he said.
