Donovan misses the highly-motivated players he had in OKC
It's safe to say coach Billy Donovan hasn't dealt with anything quite like what he has with this young Bulls team during his previous five years in the NBA.
After Saturday's loss to Indiana, Donovan talked about some lessons he'd like his players to learn.
"If there was one thing some of the players I was fortunate enough to coach in Oklahoma City - Chris Paul to Russell Westbrook to Kevin Durant - their internal drive, it's like incredible what they do," Donovan said. "Just how driven and motivated and relentless they are and we need to get more of a relentless attitude and spirit.
"I thought we did a little bit of a better job, but when that one hit us when they turned up the heat there against us (in the second quarter), we did not respond and we've got to do it."
The Pacers took control with a 19-0 run in the second quarter, then opened the second half with an 18-0 run. The lack of winning experience on the Bulls' roster has been a glaring problem since the rebuild began in 2017.
"Now listen, I'm coaching them, that's our job," Donovan said. "I've got to try and help them as best I can and I've got to keep working with them and maybe show them different ways and try to do things and try to help them understand that."
No matter how you look at it, Donovan has quite a challenge on his hands.