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North: Hoiberg still trying to find his way with Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were 4-3 heading into Monday night's game at Philadelphia, but the players seem to be giving less than 100 percent on the court right now.

For the second time since the season started, the Bulls mailed in a performance, losing to Minnesota over the weekend.

And New coach Fred Hoiberg isn't happy.

I'm trying to remember in recent years when their effort was questioned. There is a huge difference in a lack of energy, which can happen after grinding out some games, and lack of effort.

I'm not mad like Hoiberg because I'm realistic that a new system (which by the way isn't really a new system), will experience some growing pains.

There are some problems, however, that Hoiberg needs to straighten out quickly if he wants to be successful here. He has already experienced some miscommunication, and a lack of resolve by this Bulls team on the court makes me think the players aren't buying his rhetoric.

Maybe the guys are suspicious of his relationship with general manager Gar Forman and vice-president John Paxson, but the last thing you want to hear from a guy who took over for a coach with a .647 winning percentage, second only to Phil Jackson, is that he has no answers.

The only way a Tom Thibodeau-coached team sans the frequently injured Derrick Rose could compete was with intensity and great defensive play.

While it's early in the season, those two things have to return to this team if it expects to compete.

Any rookie coach will be questioned, but I have to ask: what have you done to Joakim Noah? He was the heart beat of this team and that's gone.

I know Hoiberg is trying to set a tone with his anger and claiming he's his own man, but I don't think fans are buying what he's selling.

Former coach Vinny Del Negro, who experienced a physical altercation with Paxson in the locker room once, and Thibodeau, a very independent thinker, were both sent packing.

Although a few wins and some effort will cure all this nonsense, a new coach is always faced with challenges when he replaces someone likes Thibs. It's normal for players to compare, and players such as Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Nikola Mirotic, Tony Snell and Noah tasted winning and success under Thibodeau.

Jerry Reinsdorf, who low-bridged Thibodeau after he was gone with his comments, came across poorly and has once again put corporate policy above winning a title. Maybe he's listening to the wrong people.

I think it's safe to assume this story is far from over.

Program notes:

Follow me on Twitter@ north2north, and listen to Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and myself from 5-8 a.m. Monday through Friday on Fox Sports radio, and check me out on iHeart radio or Foxsportsradio.com. Listen to my postgame Bears show on The Drive 97.1-FM every Sunday.

• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.

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