Paxson sees improvement in Hoiberg's coaching
At the end of last season when the Bulls missed the playoffs, vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said coach Fred Hoiberg needed to work at being a successful NBA head coach.
Paxson supplied updated thoughts on Hoiberg late Thursday.
"Fred's a different personality. He's more laid-back," Paxson said. "And you know, a lot of our guys have actually responded to that. I can go back to training camp practices where I thought he had a much better presence with our players.
"Fred is growing and evolving. I think our players like him. I think they see him as someone who did play the game and knows what they're going through. And I've seen growth in an area of him in games where he's trying to manage matchups a little differently."
Wade on board with plan:
Before Friday's game, Dwyane Wade talked about his role in the Bulls' stated quest to become younger and more athletic.
"Obviously, when summer came I don't think they thought I'd be here, and I think their plan was to retool with the talent that was on the roster, put themselves in a position the following summer and in the draft," Wade said. "Having me come up and say I want to come here, I think that changed their mindset, but it didn't put them in a position where they can't do the things they wanted."
Scout on Payne:
Bulls general manager Gar Forman was asked about his thoughts on Cameron Payne when he scouted him as a college player at Murray State.
"I think he's got a real feel and an instinct for the game," Forman said. "He's an instinctual player, very crafty. He's a guy that is skilled. He can handle, he can pass it, in college he shot it well. Hasn't shot it as well this year, but a guy that likes to compete and is instinctual. I think he's a guy that makes teammates better."
During his two seasons in Oklahoma City, Payne was best known as Russell Westbrook's pregame dance partner.
Numbers game:
Newcomer Anthony Morrow wore No. 1 on Friday. Bulls fans will recall, Michael Carter-Williams was interested in wearing No. 1 when he joined the Bulls in a trade from Milwaukee, then decided to take No. 7 out of respect to Derrick Rose, who wore No. 1 from 2008 through last season.
Cameron Payne is listed as No. 22, Taj Gibson's number, while Joffrey Lauvergne will wear No. 77.