The Chicago Bulls decided to go in a very different direction following a disappointing end to their 2014-15 NBA season when they sacked Tom Thibodeau in favor of former Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg. Thibodeau posted an outstanding .647 winning percentage with Chicago but issues between he and management forced the latter’s hand and pushed them to make the move. So what should Bulls fans and fantasy owners expect from the Bulls under Hoiberg? Here is a look at four things that the Hoiberg hiring means for Chicago.
The Stars Will Play Less Minutes
No coach pushed his star players harder than Thibodeau and that emerged as a major issue after their playoff exit. There were rumor circulating about players complaining about fatigue and we all saw it coming. Jimmy Butler played 38.7 minutes per game, which was the most of anyone in the NBA. Is that necessary when the Bulls have plenty of depth? Thirty-four-year-old Pau Gasol played 34.4 minutes per game, which was the fourth-most among power forward last season. And while Derrick Rose will never be what he once was, the fact that he averaged 30 minutes per game on the season and played even more than that when he was finally healthy was something that rankled upper management.
The consensus around the league is that the heavy minutes not just drains the players but also leaves them more vulnerable to injury, which is something the Bulls have been dealing with for years. With Hoiberg now in charge, there is a good chance we see the Bulls veteran stars like Rose and Gasol play fewer minutes and even potentially get some games off.
Rose Will Be Better Managed
At first glance, it might seem as though this expectation counters the idea that the stars will play less minutes but we’re not talking about more minutes per game. We’re talking about Rose being able to stay on the course more often throughout the course of a season, which he failed to do under Thibodeau. The reality is that the combination of a small adjustment to his minutes and how hard he is pushed when healthy, it’s reasonable to expect Rose to play more over the course of the 82-game season. Rose was limited to just 51 games this past year because of various nagging injuries but with more rest both in games played and with less intense practices, there is a much better chance his body holds up over the course of an 82-game season under Hoiberg next season.
More Communication With The Players
One of the major talking points at Hoiberg’s introductory press conference was the improved communication he will have with the Bulls players. Thibodeau is a good coach but he was very much a “my way or the highway” type of guy and that led to some pent up frustration. Hoiberg is just getting his start at the NBA level so look for him to keep a constant line of communication open with his players as he earns their respect.
Improved Offensive Numbers Across The Board
The Bulls ranked ninth in the NBA with an average of 97.8 points per game allowed but only 15th overall with an average of 100.8 points per game. The scoring numbers could certainly be better with a star cast that includes Rose, Gasol and Jimmy Butler – especially in the Eastern Conference where the level of defensive play overall isn’t nearly as good as in the Western Conference. For fantasy guys, that’s great news as you can start to buy and expect healthy returns from the Bulls. In previous years under Thibodeau, this was a defense-first time that made fantasy GM’s a bit nervous. Hoiberg will not push his players as hard at the defensive end of the floor and with him being more of an offensive mind, this team will be playing in higher-scoring games next season. That means great things for individual stats and fantasy.
