CHICAGO _ Find out who fits long term.
In all the important ways, that's what this Bulls season is about.
It's why Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis returning for Monday's game against the Kings is so important.
It's why Fred Hoiberg no longer is coach. And it's why Jim Boylen doubled down Monday on moving forward as Hoiberg's replacement _ no interim tag, mind you _ with his true, intense personality.
One day after two or three players suggested a teamwide boycott of practice in a group text exchange that led to two hours of intense team meetings, Boylen articulated the organizational mandate he believes he has to change the Bulls' culture.
"My job is to try to push our guys to a place they can't take themselves," Boylen said. "That's pushing them outside their comfort zone. That's what the Reinsdorfs are paying me for."
The fact Boylen cited ownership is telling. Phil Jackson praised Boylen to Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf after Boylen met with the Hall of Fame coach last summer. And according to team and league sources, executive vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman raved to ownership about Boylen's message during Sunday's meeting, which Paxson and Forman attended.
Boylen embraced the players-only meeting and the meeting with players, coaches and management that occurred Sunday.
"I think it's a blessing for where we want to go," he said.
According to multiple sources, Sunday's scheduled practice served as the tipping point for some players' frustration. But the fact Boylen used two five-man substitutions in Saturday's 133-77 loss to the Celtics _ the second coming just 2 minutes, 58 seconds into the second half with the Celtics leading by a mere 5-3 in the half _ and constant public browbeating that featured Boylen publicly questioning players' toughness and conditioning were bigger issues, per sources.
Zach LaVine said Sunday that "I don't think the players' toughness should ever be questioned." And players didn't love having to run wind sprints and do push-ups during a pair of two-hour practices last week after Boylen challenged their conditioning both privately and publicly to reporters.
Boylen also has used unconventional tactics such as showing film clips in the locker room immediately after losses. Yahoo Sports reported Monday that some players contacted the National Basketball Players Association regarding Boylen's "extreme tactics."
Boylen has talked about having open lines of communication but ultimately has the final say. So how he does he use player feedback, which, according to several present at the meeting, was occasionally presented to him in emotional fashion Sunday?
"I explained that to them: 'Hey, guys, everybody wants it comfortable. Everybody wants it safe. Well, I don't think you become great in that,' " Boylen said. "So it's going to be a little raw for a while, it's going to be a little rough for a while. And maybe there's a point where it gets not as rough, but all of a sudden it's got to be rough again.
"That's the only way I know. That's the way it is in the business. From the places I've been that have been successful, that's the way it is."
Boylen grew most passionate when asked about the team splintering and the narrative that the Bulls were close to a teamwide mutiny.
"We did not splinter after the Boston game," Boylen said, referencing the franchise-record 56-point loss. "There was an issue with how we're going to go about things with practice, what I value and that they have to understand this is not a negotiation. That's not my style. That's new for them. And that's OK.
"That is not true that they didn't want to have practice. 'They' means everybody. That is not true. I don't like that narrative. The truth is we had a couple guys who thought a Sunday practice was excessive after the week we had. And they have to trust me if I bring them in here to practice, I'm going to manage their legs and manage what we're going to do. They didn't understand that. So I explained to them you have to trust that I'm going to do what's best for this team. What was best for this team was coming in, being together and growing. Some guys felt that was excessive.
"We cleared that up and we're moving on. Please don't say 'they.' Because that's not how it was, OK? Everybody is allowed to make a mistake. Everybody is allowed to get sideways a little bit. This is an emotional roller coaster at this level. New coach, tough week, big win, got our butt kicked. Everybody is human, has a reason to do what they do. We've all done it where we look back and say, 'God, I wish I would have done that differently.' We could have handled that differently. OK. Is that clear?"
Late Saturday, Boylen said he didn't bring back the starters over the final 21:02 in a "premeditated" move to save them for Sunday's practice. But during Sunday's meeting, Boylen had a colleague reveal that his practice plan consisted merely of film work and getting up shots.
Boylen first learned late Saturday of the team potentially not showing up for Sunday's practice, a source said. But he refused to change his practice plan, wanting to use the opportunity to build trust with his team.
Robin Lopez was instrumental in getting the Bulls to show up Sunday.
"I've had a lot of experience," Lopez said. "And it seemed to me that was the sensible and respectful thing to do. You understand where your teammates are coming from, always. Whether or not you agree with it, you want to put them in the best position to succeed."
