Welcome to the NBA -- produce or perish.
It still astounds me Fred left for
that. I mean, if he was going to go because he did not want to babysit BDJ, wanted the money, and wanted to try his luck against the absolute best in the world, I do get it. What still kind of burns me is it was just a terrible situation for him to go into. Why not wait for New Orleans and Anthony Davis, or say Denver, or Minnesota and all their young talent if you are still having a good time winning in Ames for the moment?
Chicago has the worst front office, unreasonable expectations, an aggressive and insular media, and you are always up against the ghosts of Jackson and Jordan in the United Center. Plus, he inherited a roster that was old, breaking down, about to decline, had poor chemistry, missed and was still loyal to Thibs, and was not a stylistic fit for him whatsoever. I have no idea what he saw there with the basketball situation to be attracted to go there.
And before you say "...but Jimmy Butler," well...
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/kzzjxw/jimmy-butler-has-something-to-say
...he couldn't be happier to be away from Chicago and back to Thibs. Not earning the respect of and being able to work with your All-NBAer is damning for a coach.