The Chicago Bulls may open the season with Joakim Noah coming off the bench and Nikola Mirotic in the starting lineup with Jimmy Butler for head coach Fred Hoiberg. Derrick Rose may miss the season opener after suffering a facial fracture and Hoiberg could start Kirk Hinrich or Aaron Brooks in his place.
The Bulls are coming into the season with Hoiberg taking over for Tom Thibodeau and he is implementing a new offensive scheme. Hoiberg is looking to shake things up a bit and reports have the coach thinking about bringing Noah off the bench to open the season. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Chicago Tribune that while Hoiberg said the starting lineup is not set in stone yet, sources say that Hoiberg is "leaning strongly toward" starting Mirotic over Noah.
PBT reports that the Bulls were more efficient on offense last season with Mirotic playing and that could be one factor in the decision for Hoiberg. The Bulls have depth at forward with Mirotic, Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson and Bobby Portis and Noah would give the team even more flexibility by coming off the bench. Hoiberg can use different lineups up front to challenge teams and it also would allow Noah to play with Taj Gibson. Hoiberg said after the preseason game this week that "Taj and Jo played well together" and also added that "Those two (Gasol, Mirotic) do play well together."
KC Johnson at the Chicago Tribune predicts that the Bulls will use Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell, Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol in the starting lineup for the season opener. Johnson also guesses that if Rose can't play in that game, the team will start Hinrich at point guard over Brooks. Noah said to Johnson that he doesn't have issues coming off of the bench and said he will do "whatever is best for the team" and that "it's not about me. It's about this team."
Noah is coming into a contract year and after dealing with some injuries last season, Noah is looking to bounce back. Noah's numbers were down last season with 9.6 rebounds and 7.2 points per game from his career highs of 11.3 rebounds and 12.6 points per game in 2013-14. Noah played in only 67 games and now that he is back healthy, the Bulls feel that he can be a strong option off the bench. Mirotic had a very solid rookie season with 10 points and five rebounds per game in 82 games played and the way he has performed in camp and the preseason has helped earn him the chance to start.
Rose is working his way back from a facial injury and he will be wearing a mask to protect the injury once he gets back in action for the Bulls. According to the Chicago Tribune, Rose was dealing with some swelling and double vision with his eye in practice, but he was able to do some contact work. Rose has not been cleared to participate in full practice with the team and until that happens, the Bulls likely will prepare for Hinrich or Brooks to start.
