Back-to-back losses to the New York Knicks, and it’s time for this Bulls team to take stock of their lives. They are playing a lackluster brand of basketball, uninspired, predictable, and bad. Something needs to change, but that’s easier said than done in the middle of a season.
Billy Donovan, in his most recent post-game comments, kept harping on the “collective resolve” of the team needing to get better. He talked about the spirit of the team needing to collectively get better. Sound familiar? It’s as if the ghost of Jim Boylen rose up from it’s tomb in the lowest sub-basement of the United Center and possessed Donovan. Unfortunately, the ghost of Boylen is NOT wrong. This team lacks collective resolve and spirit.
What does that mean? In essence it means sub par performances and not living up to the inherent talent on the roster are the norm. During games I see Bulls players griping at officials when they blow a call instead of getting back on defense. I see a ton of unforced turnovers, lazy and foolish passes, poor positioning for rebounds, travelling violations, and bad screen setting. I see selfish shot taking from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, passing up wide open teammates for contested mid-range jumpers and extra long 3s. I see bad defensive rotations that lead to open shots and fouls for the opposing team. The Bulls are playing bad basketball and it’s reflected in their 11-17 record.
The fanbase is panicking. Calls for Donovan to be fired have multiplied. He just signed a contract extension during the summer so it’s highly unlikely he’ll be shown the door.
Shouts for the Front Office to blow up the roster and tank are echoing through the streets and neighborhoods of Chicago. The Bulls traded the rights to this seasons draft pick for Nikola Vucevic. The only way the Bulls get to keep this seasons pick is if they luck out with a top 4 selection.
Despair and anger are running rampant in the fanbase. We aren’t even 30 games into the season. How do the Bulls get better? Should they even try?
If you’re a fan of tanking, then the Bulls don’t really need to do anything. This anemic roster is capable of losing you a ton of games on their own.
If you’re trading for players that are going to make this team better, who are you targeting? and who are you willing to part with? As frustrating as this team has been this season, it’s easy to say “all of them,” but I don’t think that’s practical or possible. Are you giving up one, two, or three, of the “Mid Three,” as I’ve taken to calling LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic (they certainly haven’t earned the “Big” moniker.)? Are you trading away the development of Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Dalen Terry and Coby White? Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to Alex Caruso, Javonte Green, and Derrick Jones Jr?
Any one, or combination, of these trades and firings would affect change to the Bulls, but for better or worse?
I still believe this team, with this coaching staff, is capable of winning games and making the playoffs. The energy and attention to detail needs to get better and last entire games. The Bulls are a better team than their 11-17 record, but when all is said and done, they need to be the ones that believe that.
Until they do, thanks for reading and GO BULLS!
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