Thibodeau has no defense for Bulls' preseason defeat
MILWAUKEE -- There's a reason Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau became renowned as a brilliant defensive strategist during 20 years as an NBA assistant.
In the preseason opener Tuesday, the Bulls forced 25 turnovers and kept the score relatively low in a 92-83 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. Following the game, though, all Thibodeau wanted to talk about was defensive failures.
“We can't be pleased with our defense. We can't be pleased with our rebounding, he said. “We've got a lot of work (ahead). Need to do a better job keeping the ball out of the paint, challenging shots, finishing our defense.
Very little meaning can be taken from this contest, anyway, since both sides were short-handed. The Bulls were missing two projected starters in Carlos Boozer (broken right hand) and Ronnie Brewer (sore hamstring). Milwaukee played without center Andrew Bogut, guard John Salmons and forward Corey Maggette.
Among the bright spots for the Bulls was the play of Kyle Korver (22 points, 3 steals) and Luol Deng (16 points, 4 steals). Outside of a couple unforced turnovers, Derrick Rose was decent (13 points). Fresh off signing a contract extension, Joakim Noah missed some close looks early before finishing with 10 points and 6 rebounds.
Besides Korver, the Bulls' newcomers looked uncomfortable. Backup guard C.J. Watson hit 2 of 9 shots while finishing with 5 points, 6 assists, 6 fouls and 4 turnovers. Keith Bogans, the starter at shooting guard, didn't produce many stats in 20 minutes.
Turkish center Omer Asik, making his unofficial NBA debut, seemed lost in the first half, but picked up his performance later in the game with a couple of offensive rebounds and a follow-up dunk.
“Each practice he's gotten better and better and I think in the games he'll get better and better, Thibodeau said of Asik. “This is going to move quickly now, so we've got to be ready. Everybody's got to pick it up.
The comments on Asik were just a brief respite before Thibodeau talked more about the disappointing defense. The Bulls were outrebounded by the Bucks 42-27.
“The turnovers, that was good, he said. “When we had good ball pressure, it caused problems. When we didn't, it allowed the ball to go anywhere they wanted it to go.
Trailing 70-63 early in the fourth quarter, the Bulls produced 3 straight steals and a 6-0 run but never got any closer. At one point, the visitors let Milwaukee score 8 straight points at the foul line. Veteran guard Earl Boykins led the Bucks with 14 points.
“It was just good for us to play our first game and see where we're at, Deng said. “We weren't happy with the way we played defense.
“You go through training camp and you feel like you're doing some things right, added Korver. “You get to a real game and you realize we've got a long way to go.