Butler ready for OKC challenge
Jimmy Butler was asked to make an impossible choice after Wednesday's practice at the Advocate Center.
Would he prefer to guard Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant when the Bulls host Oklahoma City on Thursday?
"I've got to cover one of them, right?" Butler said. "So it really doesn't matter. Either one of them can score 40, so I've got to guard one of them. I don't know who yet. I've got a lot of film I've got to study, so we'll find out."
After both players missed time with injuries last season, Oklahoma City is enjoying the Westbrook-Durant reunion. Heading into Wednesday's game in Toronto, Westbrook was averaging an eye-popping 30.3 points. 9.3 assists and 7.5 rebounds. Durant was close behind at 29.8 points.
This will be the Bulls' first game of the season against a Western Conference opponent, and it figures to be a challenge, especially considering the defense gave up 130 points Tuesday at Charlotte.
"Those two guys against Orlando went for 48 and 41," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "It's a very difficult tandem to stop, and they've got other weapons around them that can knock down shots."
Looking to bounce back:
It happens to every team, but Tuesday's lopsided loss was the first clunker of Fred Hoiberg's NBA coaching career. After practice Wednesday at the Advocate Center, he talked about the plan to bounce back.
"It starts with a good solid practice. And I thought our guys really competed," he said. "We put them in a lot of 1-on-1 situations. They were talking, energetic. That's a good sign for bouncing back."
After the loss to the Hornets, Hoiberg said the Bulls had a very good morning shootaround. So practice doesn't always make perfect.
"We competed extremely hard against each other, but when we go up against an opposing team we don't compete nearly as hard," Jimmy Butler said. "That can't happen, so we got back to work today."
Clash of ex-college coaches:
Fred Hoiberg will coach for the first time Thursday against Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan, and the two have plenty in common.
Both are former college coaches working for the first time in NBA head-coaching jobs. Both also replaced former coach of the year winners - Tom Thibodeau for the Bulls and Scott Brooks in OKC.
"We talked this summer after both of us took the jobs. Billy's a good friend," Hoiberg said. "I've been on a few trips with Billy, a couple of coaches trips and spent a lot of time with him. Been on the recruiting trail with him. Never beat him on a recruit.
"But, yeah, we're the two guys from college this year, with Brad Stevens recently making the jump. We talk, we'll always be there to support each other. In this business you have to have that support group."
Scouting report
Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at the United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: TNT
Radio: ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: After giving up 130 points at Charlotte, the Bulls will try to slow down the Thunder, which was averaging 118.3 points heading into Wednesday's game at Toronto. PG Russell Westbrook ranks second in the league in scoring (30.3 ppg) and assists (9.3). SF Kevin Durant is close behind at 29.8 ppg. Then there are three other OKC players averaging double figures - PF Serge Ibaka (12.0), ex-Bull D.J. Augustin (11.5) and C Enes Kanter (10.8). The Bulls beat OKC 108-105 last March at the UC, despite 43 points from Westbrook.
Next: Minnesota Timberwolves at the United Center, 5 p.m. Saturday
- Mike McGraw