The Chicago Bulls lost on Friday to the Cavaliers and on Saturday to the Timberwolves as they adjust to playing without Derrick Rose. ‘‘The big thing for me right now is our improvement,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘‘That’s what I want our players to be focused in on. And I want that to be on a daily basis, not just in games. Games reveal where you are and tell you what you need to work on. I’m more concerned with the attitude and the approach; I want that to be good. ‘‘I think if we’re doing the right things each and every day and everyone is putting everything they have into it, we’ll improve. I don’t think we can ever lose sight of how hard we’re going to have to play to be successful when we’re short-handed.’’ Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/bask...ibodeau-says-improvement-is-top-priority.html
Thought so. Well, heaven forbid he should use the preseason to sort out how to use 7 new players, and establish the approach to playing "the right way". I was expecting a comment here about Nate and his game and his PER I was most happy though about Rip and his game. Hope the guy can hold up this time around. Go Bulls!
My point is you develop habits by how you practice and play these games. Losing is not a good habit, no matter how good Rip plays
But they're not practicing losing. They're practicing how not to lose, especially the bench. And now's the time to do that. What's wrong with developing them and their intensity by clearly establishing the expectations and then helping them work toward that. You cut them loose at this point and they just figure they just do what they want. But if Thibs lets them know he's counting on them to come through when it counts, and will work with them to get to that point, that's a good thing, in my book.
I don't think Thibs is going to play 5 bench players at end of games and we're down but within reach of the opposition. So what are we practicing at the end of games playing those guys? I mean, play the starters the first 6 minutes and the last 2. Get the bench guys and others (auditioning) lots of PT.
No, but for various reasons a number of them are going to be in at various times at the end of games throughout the season. Set the bar high now in terms of what's expected of them, learn how to take responsibility for winning, and then when the games count, go for it.
