Hoiberg appreciates getting input from Kerr
The head coaches in Wednesday's game spent a combined nine years as 3-point shooting specialists for the Bulls, with a one-year gap in between the two stints.
So it's no surprise Fred Hoiberg has found some common ground with Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who played on the Bulls' championship teams of 1996-98.
"I think the world of Steve, he's been great to me since I've been in the league," Hoiberg said before the game. "I was very fortunate to have lunch with Steve when I got the job. They were coming off their first championship, really just to sit down and pick his brain about a lot of things.
"We've really stayed in touch a lot since that time. He's done an unbelievable job of getting all these superstars in the right positions and be committed to playing with pace every time they go down the floor. They defend at a very high level, so the job he's done I think is admired by everybody that's in this profession."
Kerr said he appreciates Hoiberg trying to emulate the Warriors' style of play, but was realistic about the reasons for his coaching success.
"Well, it's flattering, but it's not exactly like we're winning because of some style or format," Kerr said. "We're winning because we have some of the best players in the world. The only way you can truly replicate what we have is to amass a ton of talent."
Kerr remembers '98:
Even though his days as a Bulls player ended 20 years ago, Golden State coach Steve Kerr instinctively walked past the visitors locker room on his way into the United Center on Wednesday and was halfway to the Bulls' locker room before he stopped and turned around.
Kerr said his experience with the last Bulls' championship team of 1997-98 has been beneficial this season.
"That third (championship) year in '98 felt similar to this year in terms of having been to the mountain top and trying to stay there," Kerr said. "It's a different feeling, different vibe and I think my experience that year in '98 is helping me coach this team."
Kerr was asked if his players ask him about his days playing with Michael Jordan and had a surprising answer.
"No, they usually ask me about doing the commentary on the video game that I used to do," Kerr joked. "That's where they really know me from."
Warriors play short:
Golden State played without power forward Draymond Green (right shoulder soreness) and Springfield native Andre Iguodala (left calf contusion) on Wednesday. Rookie Jordan Bell, a player the Warriors acquired by buying the Bulls' second-round draft pick last June, started in Green's place. It was Bell's 11th start of the season and second against the Bulls.
On the first play of the game, though, Bell jumped in a failed effort to stop a Robin Lopez dunk and landed awkwardly on his left leg. After staying on the ground for a few minutes, Bell tried to walk off the court, but changed his mind and rode in a wheelchair back to the locker room.
Sharpshooters unite:
Heading into Wednesday's game, Nikola Mirotic needed 14 more 3-pointers to pass Warriors coach Steve Kerr for fifth place on the Bulls' all-time list. The top four are Kirk Hinrich (1,049), Ben Gordon (770), Scottie Pippen (664) and Michael Jordan (555). Kerr made 430 in five seasons with the Bulls. Fred Hoiberg knocked down 164 in the four seasons he spent in Chicago.