Internal turmoil
For a while yesterday, it looked as if the Bulls were on their way to victory. Such an outcome would have been remarkable, representing a turnaround from a weekend that saw them absorb an all-time-downer 56-point setback and thereafter come close to experiencing a mutiny. Unfortunately, the surge didn’t last; the 11-point lead they built through the first half turned into a seven-point disadvantage by the time the third quarter ended. And considering their swoon, the payoff period became a veritable cakewalk for the visiting Kings
For the 18,164 at the United Center, the loss could not have been farther from unfamiliar. It was their 11th in 15 home outings and 22nd overall, firmly entrenching them at the bottom of the East. In light of their stated intent to challenge for a playoff spot, it’s telling that they’re just a single game ahead of the league-worst and obviously tanking Suns. Clearly, not even the firing of erstwhile head coach Fred Hoiberg and promotion of assistant Jim Boylen has helped; they’re one and three since the change, and critics won’t be wrong to argue that the situation has become even worse.
Moving forward, the Bulls have a lot to work on. The good news is that they’re relatively healthy; unlike Hoiberg, Boylen will benefit from a full roster outside of two guard Denzel Valentine. The bad news is that they no longer have any excuse to turn to for their inevitable place in the lottery at season’s end. And there is every reason to contend that their problems are deeper off the court. Their new mentor is the exact opposite of his predecessor; the laid-back style has been replaced by a tough-love approach that invariably grates proud players.
Significantly, Boylen isn’t backing down. If anything, he has dug in, publicly daring his charges to defy him. The meetings that followed their embarrassing stand against the Celtics seem to have solved little. The Bulls aren’t competitive at their best; even casual observers can easily predict how they’ll do while dealing with internal turmoil. In short, they’re in for a long, long 2018-19 campaign, where swoons figure to be a staple and surges more a pipe dream than a legitimate goal.
Bulls head coach Jim Boylen isn’t backing down. If anything, he has dug in, publicly daring his charges to defy him. The meetings that followed their embarrassing stand against the Celtics seem to have solved little. The Bulls aren’t competitive at their best; even casual observers can easily predict how they’ll do while dealing with internal turmoil. In short, they’re in for a long, long 2018-19 campaign, where swoons figure to be a staple and surges more a pipe dream than a legitimate goal.