Earlier this week, ESPN’s Nick Friedell joined the guys from Sports Mockery’s The 312 podcast to break down everything that’s gone wrong for the Bulls this season and where the team goes from here. They touch on a number of subjects, and Friedell doesn’t shy away from how he really feels about the direction (or lack thereof) of this organization.
From Cameron Payne’s demotion to the D-League all the way up to Jerry Reinsdorf’s office, Friedell and The 312 guys take everyone on this sorry Bulls team to task.
Here’s a smattering of their long conversation:
Jimmy Butler’s Future
Will the team’s ability or failure to reach the playoffs have an impact on the front office’s decision regarding Jimmy Butler?
“I don’t think it has anything to do with whether they make the playoffs or not…if they got the right pieces back I think Jimmy would be gone.” – Nick Friedell
Based on Friedell’s assessment, Paxson was sending a message during his post-deadline interview. Essentially? “You want him? Give us an offer we can’t refuse.”
“Like so many teams, they love the point guards in this draft. Fultz, Ball. They love the talent that’s available at the top. I think part of the reason why Pax was so honest – Pax is usually honest in his commentary – he was using the media to get the message out to the rest of the league. ‘You want Jimmy Butler? Okay, but give us some high level picks, specifically in this draft, and we’ll find some other pieces to make it work.’ ” – Nick Friedell
Fred Hoiberg’s Future
Is Fred still in good standing with his bosses?
“The reality with Fred is I don’t know if at this point – no matter what the roster looks like – if he can turn into the coach that the Bulls wanted him to be, that Gar and Pax wanted him to be. It’s been a struggle for him to get his message across to some of the players over the last couple of years. I think his demeanor just hasn’t meshed well over two seasons.” – Nick Friedell
To hear Friedell’s thoughts on Butler’s mental fatigue, the ugly trade with the Thunder, Hoiberg’s chances coaching a rebuild and the job security of the front office, listen to the full interview below!
You heard it from the guy who’s been inside the fire all season, folks. The Bulls are on the precipice. A long, ugly fall awaits them unless they nail it with their draft choices and transactions this summer.
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Thanks to Nick for chatting with us. We look forward to having him back on The 312 again soon!
