Jimmy Butler calls out Hoiberg, says Fred needs to be tougher

"It's not even about being coached a certain way for five years," Butler said. "It's making everybody do their job. We weren't doing what we were supposed to be doing, what we wrote up on that board before the game, and nobody spoke up about it. I did probably not enough times, but I think that he has to hold everybody accountable. From the No. 1 player all the way down to however many guys we got. You got to hold everybody accountable; everybody has to do their job. You win your matchup, you do your job, we win the game."



Butler said he believes Hoiberg can be the coach who calls players out when needed.

"Yeah, he's got to be," Butler said. "He's got to be on me, too. He's got to be on our leaders to call guys out when they're not doing their job. But I just think from the jump it got out of hand, dug ourselves a hole. When we do that, we normally don't come out of that hole."

At the same time, Butler didn't exactly give a ringing endorsement when asked if there is still time for him and his teammates to listen to the message Hoiberg is giving.

"It's on everybody," Butler said. "But I think when it's coming from him, it's a lot different. It's different when a player is telling another player and a coach is telling a player. I know it's really not in him like that, but, at times, that's what we need."

Butler, who has been open over the past six months about his desire to be more of a vocal leader for the group, feels he has to set a better example, as well.

"It's always frustrating whenever you lose," Butler said. "If we would have won, we wouldn't be saying this, but since we lost the way that we did, I think that had something to do with it. ... No matter if we were a veteran or young team, you still got to do your job. But yeah, we have to lead since we are the vets. We got to lead by example and talk everything out out there. We got another one Monday."

Toward the end of his media session, Butler acknowledged the Bulls are indeed struggling with the adjustment between Thibodeau and Hoiberg.

"Basketball is basketball," Butler said. "Players come play the game, but it's different. I'm not going to say it's not."

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GalePayton said:

Just imagine this board (and other message boards) if Rose would've said what Jimmy said ... lol

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clonetrooper264 said:

And every media outlet in the US for that matter.

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Crystallas said:

Right or wrong, that shit stays in the locker room. Same with Pau who was calling out teammates.

If these guys are going to discuss relationships through the media, this team will be a ticking time bomb, and that also will devalue assets, so if you think that's a good thing for rebuilding, you're mistaken.

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RamiTheBullsFan said:

Stupid of Butler. Period. Even if it is true, which I don't doubt it is.

Where is the Thibs laughing gif when you need it?

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Enasic said:

In the end, this really isn't a big deal. Ideally, you keep it in house but for all we know, Jimmy has voiced it in house and nothing has changed. He obviously feels a certain way and I'm sure the team and Fred will address it and they'll move on from there. Fred's still learning and will probably have to be more vocal than he's really used to. In the beginning of the year he would pretty much sit on the bench the entire team and for the most part be in the background. He's gradually getting more involved on the sideline and I suspect that he probably does need to be more vocal with guys and as time goes on, hopefully he can grow into that. I will say, now that Jimmy's made his point, he should probably be quiet with the media. He said what he had to say and now he just needs to keep his mouth shut.

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GalePayton said:

Something tells me that you would view things differently if Rose had made the same comments as Jimmy.

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