The Chicago Bulls are playing good basketball to start the season as they are currently standing at the second place of the Eastern Conference, just behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At 9-4, something is clearly working for the Bulls. Not only are they getting a healthy Derrick Rose, new head coach Fred Hoiberg made a slight changes in the starting line-up by switching Joakim Noah with Nikola Mirotic.
So far, he is clicking alongside Pau Gasol but at this point, he claims that he is just starting to build his confidence.
"The shot is coming," Mirotic said via Bleacher Report. "It's all about confidence. The first four or five games I had great confidence shooting the ball, less pump faking. I know people are worried about it, and sometimes I know it's not a good idea. It depends on the game. If I'm feeling confident, I'll try to just catch and shoot. But if I'm not, I'll try to adjust to the defense."
Moreover, franchise star Jimmy Butler knows his capabilities and is encouraging him to shoot the ball more.
"I tell Niko to shoot it anytime he gets open looks because I've seen him shoot the ball contested, uncontested," Jimmy Butler said. "[A three-pointer] is a good shot for Niko, being [6'10"]. Make them guard you and then you can throw in a pump fake, but shoot to score, shoot to score the ball first."
However, this leaves Joakim Noah with limited playing time. The former All-Star said earlier this season that he clicks better with reserve power forward Taj Gibson, but that doesn't mean he is happy being relegated to the bench.
Will they find the right balance or someone will have to be shipped in the future? Stay tuned.
