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Hoiberg believes Butler's comments changed people's perception of him

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With less than a one percent chance of reaching the postseason, head coach Fred Hoiberg's first season in Chicago will likely go down as a year to forget for the 43-year-old.

While injuries have certainly played a part of Chicago's depressing campaign, Hoiberg believes you can pinpoint exactly when the Bulls' season began to unravel.

"When I go back and look at the different segments of the season, you know, we got off to a pretty solid start with this thing. Then some things happened. I think most of that comes from the one comment that was made after the New York game by Jimmy," Hoiberg told CBSChicago.com's Cody Westerlund in reference to whether he would "coach harder" next year.

Hoiberg was referring to a remark Butler made following a blowout loss to the New York Knicks in mid-December, criticizing his head coach for not being hard enough on his players.

"I believe in the guys in this locker room, yeah," Butler said in December. "But I also believe that we probably have to be coached a lot harder at times. I'm sorry, I know that Fred's a laid-back guy, and I really respect him for that. But when guys aren't doing what they're supposed to do, you gotta get on guys, myself included."

Hoiberg appeared to forgive Butler following the comment, however, it's clear now that it stuck with him throughout the season. Hoiberg realizes now that Butler's comment likely changed a lot of people's perception of him.

"Would I change it? Would I be more vocal, more direct? Maybe. We'll evaluate that when we go into the offseason."

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