It’s been frustrating to watch the Bulls all season. For stretches, they look like one of the best teams in the NBA; other times, they look like they belong in the D-League.
Nowhere is the Jekyll-and-Hyde performance more apparent than on defense. Analysts around the league have continuously pointed out their soft play on screen-roll situations.
Ladies and gentlemen I give you the wonderful screen and roll defense of the Chicago Bulls bigs pic.twitter.com/kHRXJoozxB — Luke Stanczyk (@lstanczyk27) January 24, 2016
Former Bulls guard Kendall Gill was getting increasingly upset during the Bulls’ 120-93 loss to the Clippers on Sunday. The game was televised nationally on ABC, but that didn’t stop the CSN analyst from giving his unfiltered opinion of the Bulls’ pick-and-roll defense on Twitter.
Pic n Roll defense has been the Bulls biggest weakness all yr. They Must change the way they defend it. Clips killing them today with it.
— Kendall Gill (@KendallG13) January 31, 2016
The Bigs have to step up & guard the shooter for 1 count. Meaning 1 sec. Then get back to their man. It would eliminate easy shots.
— Kendall Gill (@KendallG13) January 31, 2016
Right now PGs lick their chops because they know the bigs won't be there. Allowing them to get into the lane for easy shots or assist.
— Kendall Gill (@KendallG13) January 31, 2016
My Grandmother passed away 8yrs ago. She could get 25 right now if she ran pic n roll the the Bulls defend it. It's not to late to change.
— Kendall Gill (@KendallG13) January 31, 2016
OK, the grandma comment might be a little exaggerated, but Gill does know something about playing defense. During the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, Gill led the NBA in steals with 2.7 per game, playing just 32.1 minutes.