Gibson has Hoiberg's back

No one is sure how much Taj Gibson will be able to play the rest of the season because of a fractured rib. But he spoke to reporters Friday at the Advocate Center and offered plenty of insight.

Gibson was asked about a story suggesting coach Fred Hoiberg has lost the team.

"They need to just shut up," Gibson answered. "Everybody tries to discredit this man, and it's rough. He's a rookie coach taking on a veteran group. Give him some slack, man. It's hard enough as it is to come in. You've got the whole city of Chicago on your back. It's tough.

"But I think he's just learning. He's learning, he's doing a good job, he's staying with us, and I'm riding with him no matter what. Me and him have had long talks from time to time. He really cares about the players. We've got to do our part to help us get wins and do what's right for him. At times it gets a little crazy and things go south, but we've got to do what's right for him. We've got to play harder for him."

Gibson also credited injured teammate Joakim Noah for driving the apparently successful team meeting last Sunday.

"I love Jo. When he was in there, it helped the meeting out a lot, having Jo be that voice and speaking out. It was great for the meeting.

"(It was) guys laying it out, telling how they feel. Me, I was just sitting there. I was enjoying it. But yeah, you can tell the difference in how guys are playing. The big difference you're seeing is that guys are pushing through with a whole bunch of injuries trying to get wins. Everybody's feeling it's us against the world right now."

Taj feeling the pain:

Taj Gibson insisted he's ready to do whatever he can for the team, even if it means playing two minutes. But he's also not sure how much he can do with a fractured rib.

"I think I did it back in the Sacramento game (on Mar. 21)," he said. "I got hit and it felt funny for a while but I just kept trying to play through it. Then the Orlando game, I got rocked pretty solid in that game and I haven't felt the same since. It's been getting worse and worse by the game. Guys kept hitting me, and the way I play, diving at loose balls, diving on the floor ... it was pretty bad.

"Man, I've played through a lot of stuff. I think this takes the cake. I really feel for football players playing with this kind of stuff, boxers playing with this kind of stuff. When you're constantly getting hit in that same spot, it's really hard to breathe. You want to cry. But it's the nature of the game. I'm out here playing for my teammates and no one else."

Butler takes point:

With Derrick Rose doubtful for Saturday's game, the Bulls may use Jimmy Butler in the point guard role more often.

"I think we all remember what he said coming into the season that he's a point guard," coach Fred Hoiberg said with a smile. "We'll see how the game's going. Obviously, the matchup will dictate who's initiating our offense.

"He's done a good job. Whether he brings the ball down or whether we get him coming off a zipper cut to the top of the key, run a little handoff to him to get the ball in his hands where he can go out and make plays."