Let's Play Hoiball

(Fredrick Kristian Hoiberg sometime between 1999 & 2003)

On April 28th of this year, the Bulls were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs after once being in control 2-0 over the #1 seed Boston Celtics, before Rajon Rondo was injured. The United Center echoed of "Fire Hoiberg" chants for the closing minutes of the game 6 live broadcast. Chicago fans have never been content with mediocrity and never will be. But this chant was aimed in the wrong direction.

Fred is no stranger to a disgruntled Chicago fan base, he was along as a player for the dark times of the post Michael Jordan era (1999-2003). The last time the Bulls began a full rebuild Hoiberg was on the floor. So of all people he should understand what the fans expect from him in the next three years, but also how they will react throughout this upcoming season. Luckily for Fred this time around isn't coming off of a decade of dominance.

Fred took an Iowa State team to a 50/50 (16-16) season in his first year as head coach of the team in 2010. But from there he led a group of young men to a minimum of 23 wins and four straight NCAA tournaments. Reaching the "Sweet 16" in the 2013-14 season. The college fan base embraced Fred and his "Hoiball" system to the fullest extent. Freddy finished his college coaching career with a 115-56 record before being hired as the coach to replace Tom Thibodeau.

(Hoiberg telling you to wait a minute before your final judgements)

So why did Fred fail in his second year as a NBA coach? Well to start with the obvious elephant in the room, he's still not Thibodeau. Hoiberg is the polar opposite of his predecessor, who held his players accountable every second of every game. One of the greatest mysteries in this world is how Thibs manages the ability to have a voice throughout the duration of a season. While Hoiberg is a much more laid back, expectant of his players to be more self accountable. Which didn't go over so well with a veteran group that coached him more than he coached them at times throughout the last season.

Why has the United Center not been filled with "Hoiball" signs? Well Fred inherited the remains of the once contending Bulls team, who were generally picked as Lebron's biggest Eastern Conference challenge. With a top defense in the league the Bulls managed to control games by slowing the game down and winning the possession battle nightly. Hoiball is the complete opposite of the system he inherited. Fred looks to "pace and space" the floor, putting the pressure on the opposing defenses. Where defensive stops do make the pace part of the equation much easier to execute, the Bulls defense wasn't nearly as good as you'd expect. Without a coach on the sidelines holding his team accountable constantly, our teams urgency on the defensive end slipped the first two seasons under Fred.

(Just the beginning of a new era in Chicago)

So with a rather negative connotation to this article so far why should you be optimistic about "Hoiball" now? Well Freddy boy walked into a dumpster fire of problems. Whether that being a controlling but confused front office, the locker room frustration build up from a past of falling short of expectations, or dealing with egos way bigger than anything he has encountered since playing with Kevin Garnett in Minnesota (2003-04). Fred now has a close to clean slate of players, most of which are young enough to still be in college. With Dwayne Wade buyout talks now becoming public, Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday stand to be the oldest members of our team. Fred will now have the ears of his players, who will all be focused on the same goal. With the selection of Lauri Markkanen the Bulls front office has committed to atleast a three year Fred Hoiberg plan. As a seven foot tall marksman that is athletic enough already to play anywhere from 3-5 if needed (opposing line ups pending) fits directly into the Hoiball system. Also acquiring a two way point guard in Kris Dunn, whose shot is in need of some minor refining and a resurgence of confidence. Hoiberg is an "offensive specialist" who should be able to earn the trust of the second year guard who is eager to prove to his new team that they were correct in pursuing him. 

Lastly acquired in the Jimmy Butler trade that defined our rebuild direction is Zach LaVine. Who had a season ending ACL injury, now coming into the last year of his rookie deal Mr. Lavine should be hungrier than ever. With money to earn and no more shadows to walk in (unless Wade's buyout lasts until February). Zach was drafted 13th overall in the 2014-15 draft, twelve picks after Minnesota drafted Andrew Wiggins with the 1st overall pick acquired from Cleveland for Kevin Love. LaVine has the opportunity to be the first option of a rebuilding team, on one of the biggest stages in sports (Chicago). If you've read this far you're surely aware of his dunking prowess. What some still are not aware of is how much he has improved from distance since entering the league. Zach hit seven, three pointers on two occasions last season. As well as a few games with six down the shoot from long range. The last part of "pace and space" refers to the ability to spread the floor due to three point shooting ability. Something Hoiberg will now have in this recovering but budding future star. 

In conclusion, Fred Hoiberg was not the coach to lead the reminance of a contending team to a championship. But he is the right man to transform a hungry young team with potential to something that could lead to a contract extension for himself in the next three years. Spiteful of many Bulls fans this would also save the jobs of the front office everybody loves to hate. Next season will be rough, but diamonds are formed under pressure and there's plenty of that to go around in the Bulls organization right now.