Everything comes up roses for Bulls
Team meetings that involve the sharing of feelings rather than intense film study haven't really been Tom Thibodeau's style.
But after the Bulls held such a meeting on Tuesday, there was a sense it went well. Participants described it as positive and productive, with most every player speaking up to say something. The Bulls were anxious to see if the good vibes would carry onto the court Thursday.
Once the game began, rainbows and rose petals practically fell from the ceiling. The Bulls turned in one of their best performances of the season, cruising past the defending champion San Antonio Spurs 104-81 at the United Center.
"It was important," Derrick Rose said of the team meeting. "But you can say whatever you want to say until you step on the court. It's all about action, what you're going to do when you get on the court. We showed that everybody was focused and everybody took everything serious that was said in that room."
At least temporarily, the Bulls (28-16) snapped a slump featuring 6 losses in the previous eight games. They tightened the defense several notches, limiting the Spurs to 37 percent shooting.
On Monday against Cleveland, the Bulls seemed lifeless. Even missing starters Joakim Noah and Mike Dunleavy due to injury, it made no sense that the Bulls could appear to be the most talented team in the East one week, then struggle to even stay in games the next.
"I think we lost that edge on the competing side," Rose said.
"We were out there playing basketball, not taking on that challenge where your really trying to stop our opponent. If anything happened wrong, show some emotion and get mad. Tonight we made an emphasis on that and it worked our way."
Rose got the Bulls off to a good start by attacking the basket frequently.
He finished with 22 points and 5 assists. Of course, he's renowned for his quiet personality, so how much did talk in the meeting?
"I talked a little bit, but I said what I had to say," he said. "I think my teammates took it to heart. I think everything that was said in that room, guys took it to heart because that was our first time ever doing that."
Maybe the MVP of the team meeting was veteran center Nazr Mohammed, because he suddenly showed up in the rotation, playing about 10 minutes total.
"It wasn't really a planned meeting," Mohammed said. "We went in for film session, we talked about where we were - as we always do. Everybody just kind of said a little something. It's not as big a deal as it's being made out to be. It was a regular team meeting where more guys said stuff. That was the only difference."
Pau Gasol, voted an all-star starter Thursday, had 17 rebounds and 12 points. Jimmy Butler got back to drawing fouls and added 17 points. Overall, the Bulls outscored San Antonio at the foul line 26-15.
"It would have made my day a lot worse if we didn't get to get this win," Gasol said. "Tonight, we came out with the right attitude. We set the tone defensively. We were getting to loose balls. We were rebounding the ball, just active on the weak side, communicating better. All those things make such a big difference."
The Spurs (27-17) used their regular lineup, but coach Gregg Popovich pulled the starters early with the Bulls up by more than 20. Kawhi Leonard led the visitors with 16 points.
"We didn't lay an egg tonight, we stunk," Popovich said.
Late in the game, rookie forward Doug McDermott returned to the court for the first time since Nov. 30. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in December.
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