The Chicago Bulls have had a tough stretch, to say the least, with back-to-back buzzer-beater losses followed by a blowout loss courtesy of the New York Knicks. They took a short trip up to Minnesota, hoping to turn a page against a young Timberwolves team missing two of their top three talents but ended up on the wrong side of history. Led by Anthony Edward's 37-point showing, the Wolves dropped 150 points in regulation to bury a struggling Bulls team. This loss makes Chicago 2-10 when the opposing team shoots 40% or better from three. Despite an impressive 126-point offensive outing, the defense never quite showed up, and players and coaches had plenty to say after the lackluster effort on that side of the ball.
Billy Donovan Has Reached Breaking Point
The Bulls' head coach Billy Donovan had seemingly no answers between the lines against Minnesota and no shortage of frustrated ones postgame when speaking with the media. He spoke passionately about the team playing for one another, being physical and competitive, and holding one another accountable. Several lineups and defensive scheme changes were made in-game, and nothing slowed an average 42.7% shooting team from making a blistering 67% of their attempts on their way to a franchise record 150 points.
"If the compete level is not high enough collectively, it does not matter"...."it really doesn't make a difference what you're in."
Billy Donovan asked about defensive adjustments via NBC Chicago
He also spoke on the players' accountability with one another and mentioned that he gives them space during both timeouts and halftime to speak candidly as a unit. Hoping it would be a time for his leaders to emerge, but there's not much of that going on, saying that "that's a part of the compete factor" eluding to the underlying issue of these constant disappointing losses and stretches of games. He ended his media session with a statement bold enough to define the rest of the season, and it'll fire up Bulls fans to hear.
"In any high level competitive thing you have to handle adversity and you have to embrace it,"..."and adversity does one of two things it either brings you really really close together or it divides you."
Billy Donovan via NBC Chicago
Veterans Give Divisive Quotes
Choice words are inevitable amid consecutive blowouts, and the lack of effort is starting to irk some of the Bulls' veterans. DeMar DeRozan said it was a "beyond embarrassing" loss that should sting and provoke change in a locker room that hasn't shown much life amid the 11-18 stumbling start to the season. DeRozan scored a team-high 29 and has been the only consistent staple for Chicago on the offensive side of the ball.
Fellow star Zach Lavine called the fourth-straight loss "frustrating" and "embarrassing" for both the team and the fans. Coming off a max contract during this past offseason, he's been on the receiving end of a lot of heat, considering he's averaging his lowest figures in points, shooting percentages, turnovers, and fourth-quarter statistics that he's ever had in a Bulls uniform. The season's turnaround will revolve around the 27-year-old and improving his efficiency offensively.
The quote heard 'round the world was delivered by savvy veteran Goran Dragic. A new addition this season, he's provided a crafty spark off of the bench with impressive shooting and ball-handling. When the seasoned journeyman was asked what the Bulls' issues were, he gave a quietly telling response. Saying that "we don't play for each other, simple as that," after some in-game antics with a particular Chicago former all-star, many are starting to connect the dots. During the game, there was an offensive possession where Dragic swung the ball to Lavine on the perimeter, and Derrick Jones Jr. was standing alone in the corner beside Lavine. Rather than continuing the flow of the ball to the open shooter, Lavine took an ill-advised mid-range jump shot that missed. Dragic visibly raised his arms in disappointment, and in the next timeout, those two were jawing with one another over Lavine's lack of ball movement.
"We have to be willing to make a swing-swing pass"..."if you have a good shot and you swing it, someone else is going to have a better shot."
Goran Dragic via NBC Chicago
The Slovenian guard might be on to something. Zach Lavine has notoriously been lacking effort on the defensive side of the ball his entire career, and his current offensive struggles only highlight the lack of production overall. Being in a spotlight brighter than ever before in his young career, Lavine has failed to fit the bill for a max-contract top-15 paid player in the entire league. The former UCLA Bruin has audibly been the least passionate player during postgame interviews. Understandably everyone handles the media differently, especially during tough times as a player and a team, but his answers have been incredibly short-tempered and dismissive as of late.
This feels like a now-or-never stretch for a Chicago team that has lost eight of their last ten and four straight. They've got no time to wallow as four of their next five come against teams currently in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and if the lack of effort and production continues, it may be time to scrap the season before the trade deadline arrives. Interestingly, the media has been denied access when upper management has been requested for interviews. One would think they're also starting to feel the heat of expectation, especially with Arturas Karnisovas's pre-season ambitions.
"this year shouldn't surprise us that we're going to be in the playoffs, but we have to do better than last year. yearly improvement is what i'm looking for, ultimately winning it. that's the goal, high expectations.'
Arturas Karnisovas in September 2022
Is it too late to save Chicago's season or can they still right the ship?
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