Fred Hoiberg: Emotions Spilled Out For Jimmy Butler In Making Critical Remarks

By Cody Westerlund--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two days after star wing Jimmy Butler made critical comments about Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg's coaching style, the two were in agreement that the situation was handled sub-optimally but hopeful that the airing of grievances can help an at-times lackadaisical Bulls team address its lingering issues.

After Saturday's 107-91 loss at New York, a frustrated Butler said that Hoiberg needed to coach "a lot harder" and insinuated his laid-back approach wasn't what the Bulls needed now following a two-game losing streak as some of the same troubles of 2014-'15 crop up again this year.

On Sunday, Butler and Hoiberg met for more than an hour to hatch out their issues, and on Monday morning, Hoiberg addressed the situation in front of the entire team.

Hoiberg said he wasn't hurt by Butler's comments.

"I know how emotional these last 48 hours have been," Hoiberg said, referencing a four-overtime loss to the Pistons on Friday followed by a late flight for a back-to-back. "I understand all the effort that was put into that game against Detroit. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a way to close out that game. I know some of those emotions poured over the next night.

"I know emotions are part of this game. I was in it as a player for 10 years. And I saw it in a front office. The comments that were made, you learn from them. Are there some things I can do better? Of course. Are there some things our players can do better? Absolutely. I had a great talk with Jimmy yesterday."

Butler made clear he didn't regret the comments, but he had softened his stance come Monday.

"I put a lot of it on myself now because I got to lead better," Butler said. "Can't allow stuff to happen. Yeah, we lost one I wanted to have at home against Detroit, and then the way that we lost in New York, so you got raw emotion right there.

"He's a hell of a coach. I think he's done great through these 25 games. That's not what I meant by that. Yeah, the media probably wasn't the best outlet for my frustration.

"He doesn't have to change as a person, I don't think so. Now that we've addressed it, everybody knows what we have to do. In practice and in the games. Before it wasn't addressed everybody was maybe going through the motions."

Butler hopes this ordeal serves as a wakeup call for the Bulls, who have struggled offensively for most of the year while still finding success with a quality defense. Butler mentioned Saturday that some players weren't doing their jobs that were clearly spelled out on the whiteboard before the game.

Without naming names, Butler said he spoke individually to some of his teammates to explain what he meant in sharing his opinions.

"It opened their eyes too, because people know when they're doing things they're not supposed to be doing," Butler said. "So hopefully that's changed."

Taking on more of a leadership role has been a goal of Butler's since he blossomed into the Most Improved Player of the Year in 2014-'15 and signed a five-year deal worth more than $90 million in the offseason.

"Learning curve for everybody," Butler said of himself leading. "I've never been in this position before in my life. Not high school, not junior college and not here. So I'm learning. It's different, a lot goes into this and there's good and bad."

The Bulls host the Nets (7-20) on Monday night at the United Center, and Hoiberg hinted that he could start pushing a little harder himself.

"Are there some things I need to demand probably a little bit more? Sure," Hoiberg said. "But it's something where I thought we made a lot of progress as a team. It's getting back to those things we demanded leading into that win streak. It's about staying consistent with that and continue to build off what made us a successful team that week. Look, there are plenty of times in this gym behind closed doors where we have some pretty heated talks. It goes on with every coach. I don't care what their personality or demeanor is. It's part of being in the position that I'm in. It's about accepting that and moving forward. I look at this as an opportunity for growth for our team."

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.