What has changed with the Chicago Bulls' defense?
A pair of dominant victories after the All-Star Game has breathed new life into the Chicago Bulls. They went into the break as losers of six straight and just seemed out of it. However, since the break, they have been playing like a different team and are now knocking on the door of the play-in tournament. So, what's changed in the last few weeks?
Incredible defense
For starters, the Bulls' defense has been phenomenal. Chicago's defensive rating is the best in the league this year, and it's also top 10 in points allowed, opponent field-goal percentage, and opponent 3-point percentage. While their offense this season is a different story, their defense has been elite. The addition of defensive lynchpin Pat Beverley has also created a tenacious defending backcourt capable of disrupting even the best NBA offenses.
"AC (Alex Caruso) and Pat are so damned tough," said wingman Zach LaVine. "They have a lot more heart than size."
"What Pat and AC do on the defensive end is huge," LaVine added. "Pat (Williams) and Ayo (Dosunmu) coming off the bench has been great, too. Whatever we have to do to win and whoever has to be out there."
More communication
Beverley, who recently joined the Bulls after getting bought out by the Orlando Magic, brings a lot of communication to the defensive end of the floor—something the team has been missing this season.
"Pat definitely brings a lot of that, but for the most part, it's being consistent in communicating; that's been the main priority defensively. Those losses definitely stuck with us over the break, and guys understood coming out of that the importance of these last 21 games now. We've got to play with that sense of urgency. I said before our first practice, we've got to treat every game like it's a Game 7. And as long as we keep that mentality, we have a chance," said All-Star two-guard DeMar DeRozan.
