The Bulls' lack of physicality has become a pressing concern for coach Billy Donovan. After suffering a humiliating loss to the lowly Hornets, Donovan emphasized that his team is "tied together" due to expiring contracts on the roster. He acknowledged that teams have taken advantage of this perceived weakness in their defense and overall toughness.
The absence of Isaac Okoro, who has been sidelined with a back issue, further complicated matters for Donovan. The Bulls' inability to contain the Hornets' offense, which scored 32 points in the first quarter alone, was a stark reminder of the team's struggles on defense.
Coby White's late surge, including 14 points in the third quarter, helped turn the tide in favor of the Bulls. However, they ultimately fell short due to their inability to secure rebounds and defend against the Hornets' offense.
Donovan stressed that his team is battling "human nature" as fatigue sets in with the accumulation of games. He urged his players to focus on the controllable aspects of their performance and work together as a unit to achieve consistency.
The Bulls will face several challenges in the coming weeks, including back-to-back games against the Pacers and Nets, followed by a six-game homestand against Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Orlando. The question on everyone's mind is: Who steps up for the Bulls to address their defensive shortcomings and regain their physicality?
The absence of Isaac Okoro, who has been sidelined with a back issue, further complicated matters for Donovan. The Bulls' inability to contain the Hornets' offense, which scored 32 points in the first quarter alone, was a stark reminder of the team's struggles on defense.
Coby White's late surge, including 14 points in the third quarter, helped turn the tide in favor of the Bulls. However, they ultimately fell short due to their inability to secure rebounds and defend against the Hornets' offense.
Donovan stressed that his team is battling "human nature" as fatigue sets in with the accumulation of games. He urged his players to focus on the controllable aspects of their performance and work together as a unit to achieve consistency.
The Bulls will face several challenges in the coming weeks, including back-to-back games against the Pacers and Nets, followed by a six-game homestand against Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Orlando. The question on everyone's mind is: Who steps up for the Bulls to address their defensive shortcomings and regain their physicality?