The Bulls dropped their second straight game to the Celtics on Sunday. Afterward, Chicago head coach Fred Hoiberg had his sights set squarely the officials.
The Bulls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in their series against the Celtics prior to heading to Chicago for the next two games. However, the series is now tied after Boston has taken the next two games. With frustration obviously running high in the Bulls locker room, Hoiberg vented a bit after the game. He criticized the officiating and brought up how he feels Isaiah Thomas frequently gets away with carrying the ball.
Fred Hoiberg criticizing officiating on Thomas, saying he's allowed to carry the ball on every possession
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) April 24, 2017
Fred Hoiberg praised Isaiah Thomas' toughness and resilience, then complained that he gets away with carrying the ball
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 24, 2017
That's the strongest I've ever heard Hoiberg criticize refs in his two years in Chicago.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 24, 2017
That is the angriest I've ever heard Hoiberg. He'll be getting a call from the league.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 24, 2017
Hoiberg spent 10 seasons in the NBA as a player and is now in his second as a head coach. He knows as well as anyone how little carrying or palming is called during NBA games, which is hardly ever.
That said, he’s not the first coach this postseason to voice his displeasure with the way games have been officiated. David Fizdale went on an epic rant after Game 2 of the series between the Grizzlies and Spurs that inspired a t-shirt to be created. You can see video of the rant here and a picture of the shirt here.
