Bulls
Leading men
Wade, Butler guiding new-look Bulls
That seemed fitting given the attention to film study this team consistently has talked about, which has mostly played out in solid execution of game plans.
“We pay attention to detail,” Taj Gibson said. “(Dwyane) Wade is a serious guy. He comes in with a serious mentality. He's always critiquing and giving his opinion on things and guys tune in to that.
“It's similar to the 2010-11 team, where guys are willing to do whatever it takes to win and they don't complain and understand you've got to listen to the coaching staff and buy in.”
Nobody is anointing the Bulls as a 60-win team headed to the Eastern Conference finals just yet, signposts that 2010-11 team achieved.
But as the Bulls engaged in a late tipoff Thursday against the Jazz, the early buy-in stands in stark contrast to last season, when Jimmy Butler called out first-year coach Fred Hoiberg and Hoiberg never found solid footing with a team whose run had reached its last legs.
“It was a little tougher last year because you had some guys who were used to the old ways, with (Tom Thibodeau's) style of defense, while still trying to buy into Fred's and (assistant) Jim Boylen's style of defense,” Gibson said. “So it was a lot of butting heads at times.
“But this year I think is a lot better. We're communicating a lot better as far as seeing what we aren't doing the right way. Guys are communicating with the coaches, and Fred and the coaches are agreeing with guys sometimes.”
Even in this instance, as Hoiberg agreed with Gibson's assessment.
“There's great accountability in the locker room with these guys,” Hoiberg said. “It starts with our veterans.”
Wade's leadership impact can't be overstated. He organized the movie outing, one of many unifying moments since he signed as a free agent.
“I don't know (anything) that went on here last year,” Wade said. “You can't go by what you read, what you hear from this individual.
“For me, it's just putting my leadership and my stamp on this organization, knowing I can help. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think I could help this organization and help Jimmy.”
Wade said his three NBA championships and five trips to the NBA Finals helped him command immediate respect. But he also said his new teammates have been receptive to his leadership style while allowing for Butler's ascension.
The latter element is where much of last season's difficulties began.
“I understand it takes more than one leader on teams,” Wade said. “Jimmy's leadership is Jimmy's leadership. And my leadership is mine. I think ours coexist and work together.
“(Teammates) see me and Jimmy together more than anyone. I think they understand if two of our leaders are on the same page, then we're good.”
The Bulls played again without Rajon Rondo, whose sprained left ankle sidelined him, as well as Michael Carter-Williams and Doug McDermott.
For the first time, Hoiberg acknowledged McDermott, who is in Chicago, likely will remain out at least through Tuesday's game in Denver.
McDermott hasn't even entered the league's concussion protocol as he is still experiencing symptoms from his hard fall in Saturday's victory over the Wizards.
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