Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg clarifies comments on coaching style

Before the Bulls played the Cavaliers on Saturday night, coach Fred Hoiberg clarified comments he had made earlier in pregame availability regarding his coaching style.

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Before the Bulls beat the Cavaliers 105–102 on Saturday night, coach Fred Hoiberg clarified comments he had made earlier in pregame availability regarding his coaching style.

When asked about a potential change in how he leads the team, Hoiberg responded by mentioning Jimmy Butler’s comment in December about the first-year coach not pushing hard enough.

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“We got off to a pretty solid start with this thing,” Hoiberg told reporters. “Then some things happened. I think most of that comes from the one comment that was made after the New York game by Jimmy [Butler]. We have had some pretty heated moments with our group, in the locker room, in the film session. Would I change it and be more vocal, more direct? Maybe. Again, we’ll evaluate that as we go into the off-season.”

Shortly after, he clarified the remark and said he had pinned the scrutiny he’s received from others on Butler, not the team’s struggles.

“Most of that perception that I hadn’t gotten on people as much was because of the comment that was made after the New York game,” he said.

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With its win over Cleveland, Chicago remained in contention for the eighth seed in the East.

– Kenny Ducey