McCaffrey: Bulls' Nikola Mirotic Shines In 'Different Role'
By Brendan McCaffrey--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Don't call it a demotion. Stay away from saying it's a benching. He would probably prefer if you didn't use the term relegation.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg tried softening the blow when it came to removing second-year forward Nikola Mirotic from the starting lineup earlier this week.
"Like I told (Mirotic), don't look at it as a demotion, it's a different role," Hoiberg said after Thursday night's 83-80 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the United Center. "It's trying to get his rhythm a little bit different. He took it like a champ."
Mirotic grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds in 14 minutes Thursday but shot only 2-of-8 from the field, including 1-of-5 from the 3-point line. In his last five games, Mirotic is shooting 36 percent from the field and a dismal 23 percent from the 3-point line (6-for-26).
"I'm not shooting great the last couple games," Mirotic said. "I think that everything is about confidence. I've been working on my shot, the only thing I think I need is one good game shooting well (to get going)."
After leaving a game against Denver last week with a concussion and a cut on his face, Mirotic started in losses to Charlotte and Phoenix before Hoiberg shook up in his lineup Wednesday night in Boston, starting Taj Gibson in Mirotic's place.
"I'm always trying to be professional," Mirotic said. "The same way I was starting at the beginning of the season, now I'm coming off the bench. It's fine, you know, we need to see what's the best for the team."
Mirotic discussed becoming a better all-around player, not just a specialist who struggles when his shot isn't falling.
"I'm working on my defense and my rebounding. I don't want to just shoot the ball from (the 3-point line). I want to be different, I want to push the ball and make plays for my teammates too. I'm not worried about shots."
Gasol extends his range
Bulls center Pau Gasol knocked down all three of his 3-point attempts against the Clippers, setting a career-high for made triples in one game. Gasol worked on shooting from long distance prior to the game but said that those shots were part of his normal pregame routine.
Will Gasol look to shoot more threes?
"It was just a good game," Gasol said. "Guys found me at the 3-point line, and obviously there's no place for me to shoot threes. I just find myself there (behind the 3-point line) sometimes or put myself there sometimes, hoping my teammates look for me and I was hitting some shots tonight.
"It's not that you will see me shooting three (3-pointers) per game, but if they are there and I'm making them, I'll keep going."
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