Bulls try to tune out negative talk
This is sort of the way things have always gone in the NBA: Success and perception can change quickly.
A few days ago, the Chicago Bulls were riding a four-game winning streak and everything seemed to be coming together as the players grew familiar with first-year coach Fred Hoiberg's system.
Then they lost a rare four-overtime game to Detroit, had no energy the next night in New York and didn't play any defense at home to a struggling Brooklyn squad Monday. Now there's an appearance of everything falling apart for the Bulls, even though they're still in decent shape with a 15-11 record.
Another four-game winning streak would set things straight. Today, though, things aren't going well.
Hoiberg talked Tuesday about dealing with the ever-changing moods. His policy is to close the doors and use his phone … for phone calls.
“Look, we're in an era right now where social media is such a big part of our society, and, you know, you have two choices. My choice was to get rid of it,” he said. “I don't look at any of it, I don't look at any of the articles you guys write. I don't watch the news, I don't watch SportsCenter. I watch the news until it gets to sports.
“It's something you have to tune it out. For players right now — I talked about it today — I don't know if I could have played in today's era with social media the way it is. It would have drove me absolutely into the ground.”
Dropping three in a row is bad enough, but the Bulls also lost center Joakim Noah in Monday's game with a left-shoulder sprain. Noah will be sidelined at least two weeks.
It also sounds as if the Bulls have spent time trying to talk themselves into becoming a more cohesive group.
After losing to the Knicks on Saturday, Jimmy Butler suggested Hoiberg needs to coach the team harder at times.
That led to a team meeting Monday where Butler explained himself to teammates. After losing to the Nets, there was more to discuss Tuesday.
“The mindset is to get it right. We've had two days in the film room where we've done a lot of talking,” Hoiberg said. “We had a very good film session today and aired some things out in that room. It's about everybody getting on the same page. It's doing your job out there. That's what it's all about right now. It's about getting things right.
“You can't worry about what's being said out there in the public. You have to find a way to get it done with the guys you're putting on the floor and going to battle with every day.”
Hoiberg's biggest concerns from the Brooklyn loss were defense and offensive rebounds. The Nets shot better than 50 percent from the field during the first three quarters and grabbed 15 offensive boards, 6 in the fourth quarter alone.
Heading into the game, the Bulls led the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage, while Brooklyn ranked 29th in scoring.
With Noah injured, the Bulls lost one of their most valuable assets. During the past few weeks, the second unit has played well with Noah acting as the primary playmaker. On Monday, Noah collected 8 rebounds and 8 assists in just 16 minutes of action.
No one is going to replace what Noah does, but his absence will bring consistent playing time for rookie Bobby Portis. While Portis didn't have a great game against the Nets, he got two easy baskets by beating his man down the floor.
Hoiberg is planning to practice three days in a row this week before playing the Christmas Day game at Oklahoma City.
“The practice court is very important right now,” he said. “These three days are huge for us to get some things corrected. That's all we can do right now.”
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