Listlessness

The title of this post is the perfect way to describe how the Bulls have lost six of their last eight, including Monday's nationally televised 108-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Even without Mike Dunleavy or Joakim Noah lately, this team typically would have still found a way to clamp down on defense and make more of these games close.  But with the team on pace for Thibodeau-era worsts in defensive efficiency and opponent scoring among other categories, it's causing people both inside and out to have concerns.

Players have pointed to a lack of communication and trust on defense as the primary reason for this slump.  After Monday's defeat, Derrick Rose, who has actually played very well during this period, signaled out the whole team and even dropped an F-bomb while saying there's been no will to win from anybody.  Further turning a few heads was the Bulls canceling practice on Tuesday rather than immediately try to correct what's gone wrong.

It's no time for a panic, but it's certainly time to take this seriously.  The Bulls are not known for looking disinterested during games, but that's been the most noticeable issue while watching games.  Although the offense has looked better than it did all of last year, it's impossible to think that improvement came at the defense's expense.  I've been making this point a lot recently because it's something worth thinking about.

During this difficult run, Tom Thibodeau has tried everything to mentally bring his team back where it needs to be.  For whatever reason, it may have fallen on deaf ears, but everyone may have also hit a wall.  Perhaps Dunleavy and Noah have listened to the coach more than anybody else and that held everybody together.  That question could be answered when both eventually return.

Then, you remember how poorly Noah has looked all year.  Even he's been prone to not caring what's happening on the floor at times.  If it's because he can't move on that bum knee, that doesn't bode well for the Bulls' chances, especially if he doesn't improve from here on out.  It'd be better for him to sit certain games out so the Bulls can at least have a fighting chance at playoff success this spring.

But even a fighting chance won't happen if we don't see that energy and intensity the Bulls have become known for.  The late Norm Van Lier always said 48 minutes of intensity was key to victory.  Right now, we only see intensity when the Bulls have dug themselves into too big a hole.  If you don't run right out of the gate, it comes back to bite you in the end.

Maybe the day off will do the Bulls some good and a stretch similar to winning 13 of 15 earlier this season is coming.  But starting it Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs might a tough task.  You don't want to be slumping when the franchise which could change how NBA teams are built in the future is coming to your building.  I'll be there to witness it and I need to see some energy and a greater will to win.