3 Ways The Chicago Bulls Can Keep Winning
The Chicago Bulls are on the brink of securing a playoff spot, so what do they need to do to ensure success?
While the entirety of the Chicago Bulls fan base may have had enough with the inconsistency of this season, there is what could be called a plus side to the up-and-down nature of the current team.
That is, if anyone can turn things around, there is quite an argument to be made that it is them. The question just becomes, can they?
As of Sunday night, the Bulls are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 31-30 record. Coming off of a 108-100 win against the 31-32 Houston Rockets, they are slowly climbing up the rankings. Only one game behind the No. 7 Indiana Pacers, securing a spot in the postseason is within reach. That is, if they keep winning, of course.
So how can Chicago make sure they stay successful until the end of regular-season play?
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For starters, Derrick Rose needs to be a leader.
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On paper, Rose is not having a bad year. He is averaging 19.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists. But in reality, a different picture is painted.
Rose has not been in tip-top shape. And while injuries are part of the job, many have been wondering if perhaps the guard is playing it safe.
In part, this is normal. After dealing with three major knee injuries, the guy deserves to be cut some slack. The last thing he wants is to fall victim to another recurring injury.
But on the other hand, how much faith can supporters have in someone who both openly admitted to be looking forward to a payday via free agency and prioritizing “not being sore” at meetings or his son’s graduation.
Unfortunately, the out-of-character behavior continues. While Rose may have learned his lesson about keeping his mouth shut, he is still certainly not acting like the hometown hero Bulls fans once worshipped. And the organization has definitely felt the aftermath of it.
On the most basic level, if a team’s star player does not have a winning attitude, how can the rest of the group be expected to either?
Whether or not Rose wants and/or decides to stick around come this summer, should not affect his level of effort now. He needs to get back to the leader he once was, in order to motivate the team towards success.
Staying healthy should also be a priority for Chicago. And knowing how to deal with injuries is important.
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Injuries happen. But a team that has been riddled with health concerns all year, may first need to make some adjustments in order to keep guys afloat. And then learn how to still get things done, even unhealthy.
Joakim Noah was ruled out for the rest of the season after he re-injured a bad shoulder. Rose has been struggling with tendinitis. Nikola Mirotic underwent an appendectomy. Jimmy Butler was out from a knee strain. And Taj Gibson has been out with a hamstring stain.
If there are indeed ways to avoid further health problems, then by all means, the organization needs to sort that out. But what should also be addressed is how to make better use of the Bulls bench, should ailments continue to arise.
Gone are the days of the bench mob. But Hoiberg still needs to give certain guys a chance, in order to develop them into reliable second-stringers.
Then, of course, there is the issue of taking on weaker opponents.
It is a tale as old as time: Chicago plays down to lesser teams. But with their upcoming schedule, there is no room for that.
While the Bulls are taking on the likes of the San Antonio Spurs, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, they are also playing the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. And since history tends to repeat itself, these are the teams that will probably give Chicago the most trouble.
The Bulls have had success against sub-.500 teams this year. They beat the Washington Wizards, the Sacramento Kings, the Milwaukee Bucks. But blowouts were rare. And Chicago struggled. It has been harder for the team to compete with competitors that were at or below their level, than to go against top dogs.
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There are 21 more games left in the regular season. In other words, 21 more chances for the Bulls to prove that they deserve to at least try their luck at a title. And while some people are rooting them on, others want them to tank and focus on the future. But in the end, none of that matters. Because it is up to the team.
To either give every last matchup their all, or just keep cruising along, hoping for the best.