Chicago Bulls: 5 Things To Know About Jimmy Butler’s Injury
5. Time For Rose To Become The Vocal Leader
Towards the end of December, the Bulls recorded four losses in five games, which led to vice president John Paxson addressing the team. Following that discussion, the Bulls went on a six-game winning streak.
But since that time, this group hasn’t played like a cohesive unit. And if they hope to change that trend, someone is going to have to become the vocal leader both on and off the court.
"“There’s not a-holes on this team,’’ Gasol told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Sometimes it is useful that a guy gets on somebody else’s [case] just to make him react or do better and not take it personally. There’s a fair argument that that’s something that could be used and it could be useful, and it is useful at times. But we don’t have that type of personality in the team here, in that way. “You could approach a guy and say, ‘Hey, let’s just try to do this better, let’s just pick it up, let’s try to figure this out.’ Communication, it’s important. I don’t think you really have to say, ‘What the [bleep], wake the [bleep] up.’ Some guys are comfortable using that type of language but I’m not going to do that.’’"
Okay, so Gasol is not comfortable in that role. Although Butler is considered Chicago’s best player, he can’t be expected to lead a team from the bench in street clothes, right?
Therefore, by simple deduction, this responsibility falls on Rose. Sure, he has had his own problems with health issues. On the flip side of the coin, though, the Bulls guard has also played his best basketball over the past two months.
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In January, he averaged 17.6 points on 47 percent shooting and his February per-game averages include 19.6 points, 6.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds. Whether or not Rose is willing to take on the role as the team’s vocal leader remains to be seen.
What is a certainty is that the Bulls will more than likely be out of the playoff race by the time Butler returns unless someone, anyone, finds a way to right the ship.