Wade quick to praise Hoiberg
Word spreads quickly in NBA circles, especially with a guy like Dwyane Wade, who usually Snapchats about 50 percent of his daily activities.
Wade seemed well-aware of criticisms directed at Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg last year. It may have been Jimmy Butler's request that Hoiberg coach the team harder or maybe VP John Paxson's suggestion that his first-year coach needed to improve.
"I think last year, a lot of the things that were said about Fred, I don't see it this year," Wade said Saturday at the Advocate Center. "I think that was his first year, he was like a rookie. Coming in, he's really made the adjustment coaching this team."
The topic was Wade and fellow veteran newcomer Rajon Rondo taking charge during the first week of Bulls training camp. Hoiberg has talked about those two stopping practice at times to address teammates. From Hoiberg's perspective, he welcomes the input and doesn't see it as an intrusion.
"We've got 10 young guys with three years experience or less," Hoiberg said. "When your older guys, your veteran guys are willing to teach and talk to them, I think that's a great thing and we've had that."
There's a long way to go, obviously, but the relationship between the veteran star and young coach has gone well so far. Wade and Hoiberg played in the league at the same time for two seasons from 2003-05, when Hoiberg was with the Timberwolves. Wade couldn't remember if he ever guarded his coach in a game.
"If I did it was probably an easy guard," Wade joked. "Standing around the perimeter."
Wade explained how the separation of duties has worked between the coaching staff and veteran players willing to share their wisdom.
"(Hoiberg) has been doing his job. As leaders it's our job to make it as easy on him as possible," Wade said. "Just worry about coaching us. We'll worry about all the other things. So when he decides to get on guys and stop practice he does that, but he's allowed the leaders and the veterans to do the same things.
"We have a lot of conversation on the sidelines. Rondo, Jimmy (Butler), myself with other guys. Try to fast track this thing as much as possible."
Just because he's been in the league for 13 years, Wade doesn't think the new system has been easy to learn. He changed teams for the first time in his career this summer, jumping from Miami to his hometown of Chicago.
"It's a lot of stuff. This is all new to me," Wade said. "I've been in one place 13 years, so everything is new. I'm out here like the young guys trying to figure it out."
Another constant issue is making sure Wade, 34, isn't overtaxed in practice. Word is, he's participated in all drills and scrimmages, but will take a break now and then when needed.
"I just see how I wake up every day, put one foot in front of the next, then I come in here and see how I feel and I go, so it's been good," Wade said. "Seven practices in a row, it's been challenging, but this is how the season goes sometimes. You have to get used to the mental challenge of it as well as physical."
With the will to practice, plus the stamina to Snapchat all day long, Wade seems ready for his 14th season.
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