The Bulls have one of the best records in the eastern conference this season, but after a bad loss against the Suns, head coach Fred Hoiberg may consider putting Taj Gibson in the starting lineup over Nikola Mirotic. The team gave up a huge lead to Phoenix and lost on Tuesday night and now Gibson could join Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol as a starter against the Boston Celtics.
The Bulls are third in the conference standings coming into Wednesday, but the team blew a 19-point lead against the Suns and lost on Tuesday and now will try and rebound against the Celtics. The Bulls gave up 42 points in the fourth quarter of the game and that type of performance is one that will get some criticism for head coach Fred Hoiberg, who has more of an offensive style compared to Tom Thibodeau, the man he replaced in Chicago.
The team ended up losing 103-101 and moving forward there is a chance some lineup changes could happen. According to the Chicago Tribune, KC Johnson reports that Gibson worked with the starters in the shoot around on Wednesday before the Celtics game, while Nikola Mirotic was with the reserves. While that doesn't mean Gibson will definitely start, Johnson writes that Hoiberg has been "debating changing the lineup" and that he is "strongly considering" putting Gibson into the starting five.
Mirotic has been starting this season for the Bulls and playing well for the most part, but after the loss against the Suns Hoiberg may feel as if he needs to make a change. Mirotic said to Johnson that he will not change his mindset or preparation if he comes off of the bench and that he will do "whatever is best for the team" and that he will "stay focused and still play my game whether I come from the bench or start."
David Haugh wrote at the Chicago Tribune the "maddening inconsistency" of the Bulls has the team in a situation that is "screaming for change" and that change could be Gibson. Mirotic is averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game this season, while Gibson is averaging 6.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18 games. Rose said after the loss against the Suns that the team knows they can play better and that he is not sure exactly where the problem lies, adding that "if I could put a finger on it, I wish I could."
Jimmy Butler did an interview with Scoop Jackson on ESPN and he said that the team remains "confident" in themselves despite some struggles this season. Jackson asked about the outside perception of the team and the "negativity" about how the team is playing despite their record and Jackson said that he doesn't "pay attention to it" and that he likes the way the team is "moving right now" on offense. Butler has been having another strong season for the Bulls, averaging 20 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assist per game.