Feb. 23--According to Taj Gibson, Fred Hoiberg is coaching harder. And Jimmy Butler, out with a left knee injury, isn't even participating.
Butler created national headlines in mid-December when he claimed the first-year NBA coach needed to "coach harder," an incident that led to team meetings and circled wagons.
Now, in an attempt to nasty up the recent defense-is-optional trend, Gibson said Hoiberg could add some soap to the whistle in his mouth.
"He's been cursing guys out," Gibson said, smiling. "It's been fun. I'm enjoying it."
Gibson wouldn't reveal the target of Hoiberg's ire. Given the fact the Bulls have allowed 100 points or more in 10 straight games for the first time in six years, the candidates are seemingly endless. The Bulls also have been outrebounded eight of their last 10 outings.
"It starts in practice," Gibson said. "Veterans, we have to do a better job of leading the young guys. We have to make it tough on them. They have to make it tough on us. Lately the practices have been great. Fred did a great change of how he goes about it. He's been even tougher.
"It's kind of weird because he really doesn't want to get after guys. But lately he's been on guys' tails. ... I told him appreciate it. That's the kind of things we need, especially this morning in practice. And shootaround as far as watching film, that's what we're going to need."
It's a departure for Hoiberg, who never drew a technical foul in his playing career and is the only coach not to receive one this season. Speaking before Gibson, Hoiberg addressed a topic he has harped on multiple times: the Bulls' tendency to succumb during adverse times.
This is a departure from how recent Bulls teams were defined. It's also a sign of a team that has struggled with accountability issues.
"It's got to come to a point where it bothers you. When you get outhustled and outworked and knocked out of bounds, that's where it starts," Hoiberg said. "We did a drill (Tuesday) where you have to go hit, have to go make first contact. A lot of times we're reacting. We get hit in the back first. Now we're pushed underneath the basket and you're in terrible rebounding position. They don't call that a lot.
"It's physical. It's a man's game. If it doesn't bother you, it's going to continue to happen. We've had games where we rebounded exceptionally well. But lately that hasn't been our strong suit. You have to finish off possessions. And we're going to have to if we want to make any kind of push. You have to win those battles."
The Bulls rank dead last in offensive rebounds allowed per game at 12.4. They've also routinely cited lack of communication for defensive issues.
Last month, Hoiberg said he planned to have he and his staff stop talking so much during drills in an attempt to force players to do so. Asked Tuesday if he's still employing that practice, Hoiberg answered affirmatively.
"We're trying to force those guys and at times it gets quiet, we blow the whistle and start the drill over. We're getting better in that area," Hoiberg said. "We're really good at it when things are going well. The true measure of how good a team you are is if you do it during the tough times."
The Bulls have had plenty of those. There's an adage in sports that you're only as good as your record indicates. The Bulls are 29-26.
Their game against the Wizards on Wednesday offers a chance for a third straight victory and, perhaps more important, another chance to improve their nastiness.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
