The Chicago Bulls are coming back down to reality. After losing to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, the Bulls have seen their once-Eastern Conference-best 6-1 record slip to 6-5. Chicago has not played well during their four-game losing streak, and head coach Billy Donovan had some words to share about the team.
“We’re not talented enough not to play desperate,” Donovan Said, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
Chicago has been playing from behind often and forcing themselves to have huge second halves just to keep the game close. Josh Giddey has missed the last two games, but that is not an excuse for the Bulls.
Kevin Huerter, starting in Giddey’s absence, shared a similar thought.
“This happens all the time in the NBA. Guys are out, teams relax. They kicked us in the teeth. We were lackadaisical all night,” Huerter said, per Johnson of CHSN.
To add insult to injury, the Pistons were playing without four of their starters. The laziness on both ends of the court is exactly what Donovan wants to see changed. From start to finish, Chicago needs to be more consistent on the court.
What Has Gone Wrong For The Bulls?
GettyNikola Vucevic has struggled the most during the Bulls’ losing streak.
This four-game losing streak is not unexpected. With Coby White still out and Giddey not ready to come back, the Bulls are without two of their top scorers. Not only that, but Chicago is without two of the leaders on the court.
During this losing streak, the Bulls have seen their points per game drop from 120.4 to 115.5. On the other end of the court, Chicago’s points allowed per game have risen from 115.6 to 124.8. On the surface level, Chicago is not playing well enough on either end of the court to win games.
Digging a little deeper, the Bulls are allowing the fourth-highest field goal percentage in the last four games, and they have been especially bad in the paint. Whether it is not covering the man cutting to the hoop, losing the assignment, or just bad post defense, the Bulls are allowing the second-most points in the paint during their losing streak.
Nikola Vucevic is supposed to man the paint on both ends of the court. However, he has been one of the main players struggling. In his last four games, the big man is averaging 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and he has not recorded a single block. Additionally, Vucevic is shooting 37.5% from the field.
Chicago needed Vucevic to step up with two of their star players out, and he has failed to do it.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
GettyCoby White is nearing a return in the coming weeks.
The good news is the Bulls will be back at full strength soon. Giddey is not expected to miss many more games, and White could be back within the next week. Along with them, Zach Collins is working his way back from wrist surgery. He will be able to provide Vucevic with valuable rest during the game without giving up size on the court.
Even better news for Chicago is that Noa Essengue seems ready for NBA action. He scored 28 points in his G League debut, and it should not be long until Coach Donovan wants to see what he provides at the NBA level.
At the end of the day, Chicago is still one game over .500. Their next chance to end the losing streak will be Sunday against a struggling Utah Jazz team. Donovan needs his message echoed in the locker room, but Chicago has a great chance to get back in the win column in their next game.
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