To say Jim Boylen has had a tough first week as the Bulls head coach would be an understatement akin to saying Michael Jordan was a pretty good player.
Now comes a report from Yahoo Sports that Bulls players contacted the National Basketball Players Association on Sunday to complain about Boylen. One specific complaint cited, according to the report, is that Boylen scheduled a practice for Sunday, after the Bulls had played back-to-back games Friday and Saturday nights — a departure from accepted NBA norms.
The Chicago Tribune reported that players openly debated skipping that practice before opting to attend and instead hold a players-only meeting, followed by a meeting with coaches.
Boylen then denied the players had called for the meetings, and said they were his idea.
Boylen, who assumed head coaching duties when the Bulls fired Fred Hoiberg December 3, has drawn the ire of players in his first week. According to multiple reports, they were embarrassed that Boylen twice substituted five players during Chicago's 56-point loss to the Celtics on Saturday.
Players are also reportedly miffed that Boylen held three lengthy practices his first week. Citing the team's lack of conditioning, Boylen made players do extra wind sprints and military-style pushups. Some players also say Boylen is treating them like a youth basketball team, trying to drum up enthusiasm on the bench.
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