(Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune)
Just days after accepting the job, Fred Hoiberg was already rumored to have plans to tweak the Bulls starting lineup. With Thibodeau riding Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Pau Gasol, and Joakim Noah as his starters, Hoiberg says he’ll use the next 28 days to experiment lineup changes.
Hoiberg said he likely will play different starting lineups throughout the preseason to judge rotations and who plays best with whom.
— Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) September 28, 2015
Hoiberg is not biting on the “Who will start?” question. Says he likes the flexibility of the roster. — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 28, 2015
Hoiberg said he has 28 days to figure out starting lineup. Said he hasn’t made final decision. Said it’s more important who finishes.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 28, 2015
Holberg on starters: “We’ve got 28 days to figure that out. I haven’t made any decisions as who’ll start. We’ll be able to experiment.”
Hoiberg plans on playing through Gasol a lot, either on the block/high post or pick and roll — Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) September 28, 2015
Mike Dunleavy is expected to miss until late December with his surgically repaired back. The Bulls have discussed internally to start Nikola Mirotic prior to the surgery. However, it seems highly possible Doug McDermott takes the starting small-forward role if he has a strong pre-season.
Sam Smith reported that he believes Gasol and Noah would not be staring together next season. Both players have had successful NBA careers, but Noah struggled playing next to Gasol as their style of play did not compliment one another’s. Hoiberg discussed how he’d like to play through Gasol a lot more this season, which means Noah could be coming off the bench for Gasol. Pau Gaol made the Allstar team last season, and at age 35 he hopes he can do it one more time.
