The turnaround has been drastic but needed.
Coach Billy Donovan knew if his Bulls team was going to rebound from the embarrassment of the first six weeks of the regular season, it had to start and finish on defense.
After all, that was the team’s strength throughout the 2022-23 season, and that’s what was being counted on with this group. Yes, Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig were offseason additions because of their ability to spread the floor with outside shooting, but they were also two more tremendous defensive pieces for Donovan to have on the chessboard.
But none of it was working early on.
The Bulls were 22nd in defensive rating (116) and 29th in defensive rebounding (30 per game) after being humiliated by the Celtics on Nov. 28.
That was rock bottom — and maybe the wake-up call this group needed.
Since that Boston massacre, the Bulls are fifth in defensive rating (113.2) and 10th in defensive rebounding (33.4 per game).
“I do think our defense has taken a jump over these last 12-13 games,” Donovan said. “That’s been pretty significant. We’ve been able to offset some of the [inconsistent shooting] because of that.”
What no one in the organization will say was another reason the defense improved.
That loss to the Celtics was the last game Zach LaVine played in before he was shut down to rehab an injured right foot and make sure he had no setbacks with it. The 15 games since LaVine went into street clothes is when the defense turned around. The Bulls have a 10-5 record in those games.
The good news is LaVine was part of a team that finished fifth in defensive rating last season, so it’s there. But with him and his representation all for being traded, will LaVine sacrifice to the level that’s needed on that end of the floor when he’s ready to return?
He was assigned to Windy City of the G-League on Monday to start practicing, so he could be back as soon as later this week if there are no setbacks.
What he returns as remains the most important question the Bulls need answered with the calendar flipped to 2024. The defense must stay in the top five if the Bulls are going to stay relevant.
“Fighting for consistency,” Donovan said. “It’s really hard in this league to be consistent. If we could be collectively a really good defensive team, and obviously someone like Alex [Caruso] is elite, and Ayo [Dosunmu] has potential, Patrick [Williams] has potential, DeMar [DeRozan] has a high IQ, but we have to be there for each other.”
Two other important questions for ’24:
What will be LaVine’s future?
The next important date is Jan. 15, when the rest of the players who signed contract extensions last summer will be eligible to be traded. While the market for LaVine has been all but silent, movement around the league should start heating up.
But the Bulls are also prepared to keep LaVine if need be, then try moving him in the offseason.
What they’ll need from him either way is to buy into what they’ve been doing in his absence. That would help the Bulls but also LaVine by showing possible suitors that he does bring value.
Is DeRozan a keeper?
The veteran has proved to be invaluable this season, especially with injuries to LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Not just with his play but his leadership.
DeRozan is a free agent this summer, so the Bulls need to either get serious about extending him or start thinking about moving him before the trade deadline Feb. 8.
