All things considered, Nikola Mirotic had a really good first season in the NBA. The 6-foot-10 Montenegrin import did have a relatively slow start to the year, but burst onto the scene after the All-Star break. All in all, Mirotic was an All-Rookie First Team selection, as he tallied 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Bulls. In an interview with HoopsHype, Mirotic claimed that he had some issues adjusting to the league at first, but eventually settled in, which led to his big breakout in the second half of the year.
It was a year of adjustment to a new situation and also difficult in the first few months. At the end of the day, you’re a rookie dealing with a different routine even if you have played 5-6 years at the pro level. You start from scratch there. There were plenty of new things for me… New city, new language… It was a little complicated at the beginning, but I was lucky enough to find teammates and a club that had my back. After two or three months, I felt way more comfortable. Then when I got real playing time, I felt really important with the team and also felt respect coming from my teammates.
Still, Mirotic has lofty goals for himself, and he believes he’ll be able to achieve them because he thinks he’s in line for a bigger role 2015-16. Mirotic said he’s motivated by this extra responsibility because he wants to deliver whenever the team turns to him.
I have many things to improve, both offensively and defensively. But that’s normal for any young and ambitious guy is. I’ve always liked to put in the work and make strong decisions. Next year I guess I’m going to have more of a featured role with the team and that’s just another motivation to work extra hard so when the team needs me I’m ready to deliver.
Mirotic also touched on the biggest news out Chicago this offseason, the team’s decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau and bring in Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg. While Mirotic was enthusiastic about the hiring of Hoiberg – he says that he thinks the team needs to play with more freedom on offense, which Hoiberg will let them do – he only had positive things to say about Thibodeau.
We had a great group of people in Chicago with the players and the coaching staff. It always felt like family. We had good and bad times, but we were always together. When things were going badly, we never thought it was the coach’s fault or were thinking this could be his final year with the team. We have been very focused on the task ahead. We knew we had a good shot at the Finals. I can only say positive things about Thibodeau. He has helped me improve. He’s a difficult coach that perhaps doesn’t like to play the young guys much, but you learn from him and he makes you work hard. He got you ready for the time when that opportunity could come. Like I said, we’ve always been together in it and we never doubted one another.
The Bulls’ season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8:00 p.m. EST against Cleveland.
(via HoopsHype)
