Bulls getting stingy as focus turns to defense
A year ago, the Bulls gave up 102.5 points per game. It wasn't the worst in the league, by any means, but it was the team's highest total in points allowed since the 1989-90 season - just before defense began to dominate the NBA.
In remarkably short time, the Bulls seem to have transformed into a solid defensive squad. They had one miserable performance in a 118-90 loss at Boston on Oct. 30. Otherwise, they've surrendered an average of 86.5 points in the other four games. That's after leading the league during the preseason in defensive field-goal percentage.
In 2 victories this week, they finished off Cleveland with three straight defensive stops and kept Milwaukee scoreless on its final two possessions.
So what's going on? Removing Ben Gordon from the lineup does not explain such a significant improvement.
Coach Vinny Del Negro admitted spending a "tremendous amount more" time during training camp focusing on defense. Assistant Bob Ociepka took a lead role in building the defense this year, with Pete Myers working on defensive efforts by the big men.
"That's probably one of the reasons we're struggling a little bit more offensively," Del Negro said following Friday's practice at the Berto Center. "Because the focus has been mostly on defense."
"I think we have a more mature team," said forward Luol Deng. "We did spend a lot of time on it, but I also think we're also doing a good job of bringing energy. I think that's really the big difference - we're just playing with more energy and having more fun out there."
The Bulls (3-2) executed the game plan well against the Cavaliers. Last year, LeBron James scored 41 points in each of his first two games against the Bulls. On Thursday, he totaled 25. Center Shaquille O'Neal scored 14 points, while the Bulls generally stayed home on the outside shooters.
Derrick Rose struggled defensively as a rookie, but he deserves some credit for Cavs point guard Mo Williams hitting just 4 of 13 shots Thursday.
Following the game in Cleveland, Rose sounded as though he's bought into the new program.
"We play hard, that's all I can tell you," Rose said. "Everybody trusting each other now. That's the biggest thing on defense is trusting one another. Without trust on defense, there's no point in being out there.
"We're believing in one another and holding each other accountable for everything on the court. Our chemistry on offense is really not there yet, but you have time for that. The biggest thing is defending."
Saturday's home game against Charlotte presents an opportunity for defensive success. Through their first four games, the Bobcats averaged 79.8 points and shot 36 percent as a team - both worst in the league.
Charlotte will also be playing the second leg of back-to-back games after hosting Atlanta on Friday.
Bulls center Joakim Noah didn't mean this as a knock on the Bobcats, but he used an appropriate line after the win in Cleveland.
"I think we're capable of beating the best," he said, "but we're also capable of losing to the worst."