From a promising future starter, Nikola Mirotic was left puzzled on why he was left out of the rotation by Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg. Despite his arsenal that would have been an asset to his team, he was told that he's not part of it anymore.
According to reports from ESPN, the 6-foot-10 forward cannot hide his frustration after being benched for three consecutive games against Orlando, Houston and Boston. He was also told that he's out of the rotation but he needs to stay ready in case his number is called in the game.
In his previous season with the Bulls, ESPN listed his averages at 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. His perimeter shooting and outside sniping gave Pau Gasol a lot more space to operate in the shaded lane as he attracts the defense to open the lane up for the cutters.
But with the way how things are going with him as far as the shuffling of players is concerned, Chicago Tribune stated that this, perhaps, could be the start of him being not part of the team's future plans as Hoiberg is giving his younger players more time with the players they have acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Montenegrin-born Spanish is currently averaging 9.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game but with the experiment that the Bulls coaching staff is trying, his playing time obviously suffered. Sporting News reported that Hoiberg used new acquisition Joffrey Lauvergne and Cristiano Felicio in the past three games, with Mirotic's position being played by both Robin Lopez and Bobby Portis. Those three games, however, resulted in a loss.
In the same article by the Chicago Tribune, Bulls Executive VP John Paxson said that "Niko" has not been playing the way either of the Bulls or Mirotic himself wanted it to be. The former team's point guard also added that their player needs to continue competing given his ability to shoot the lights out to create space for his teammates.
In their recent away game against the Charlotte Bobcats, his coach fielded him and played 29 minutes in their 115-109 victory in North Carolina. The 26-year old Mirotic finished the game with team-high 24 points, built in 5 triples, and 11 boards to provide scoring from off-the-bench role for the team.
And with that kind of scoring night, Mirotic, after all, is still part of the team.
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