Chicago Bulls' main issue this season isn't talent but lack of cohesion

For every "Big Three" that finds success in the NBA, there are many examples of this formula where assembling a collection of great players doesn't pan out. This season, the Chicago Bulls are a prime example of this, as they have been unable to find consistency or cohesion despite having three talented All-Stars in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic.

There have been moments where it has seemed like the team is turning the corner, such as their recent string of wins over the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat. However, these have been few and far between. The team's chemistry has been off all season, as shown by their inconsistent performance and a 17-21 win-loss record.

Unfulfilled expectations

After a fairly successful campaign last season, many expected the Bulls to take a step forward in the loaded Eastern Conference. However, those expectations were not met, given how the season has panned out so far. The Bulls have had difficulty with consistency on both ends of the floor, struggling to score points when one or two of their stars are off and faltering defensively when their opponents get rolling.

The main issue for the Bulls this season is not talent but rather a lack of cohesion and chemistry that stops them from maximizing their potential on the court. The numbers support this argument as the DeRozan-LaVine-Vucevic trio holds a -3.7 net rating in the 759 minutes they have been on the floor together.

Dancing with the stars! 🤩@DeMar_DeRozan | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/wAWbuR4lDU
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 5, 2023

Overlap in roles

The Bulls' trio's scoring ability has never been in question. After all, they average a combined 66 points per game. However, their lack of balance on the court has been a major issue.

All three players are ball-dominant, aggressive scorers, and that has resulted in redundancies as they all play similar roles. While there have been glimpses of them playing to each other's strengths, it hasn't happened consistently enough for the Bulls to string together an impressive streak of wins.

Zach is off to the races 💨💨💨@ZachLaVine | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/7MFbsQeyEE
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 5, 2023

Add to that their defensive issues and the Bulls have struggled to get over the hump. The team needs to find a way to maximize their individual talents while also finding synergy. As the season progresses, the Bulls will have to make adjustments if they're going to reach their potential as a team. If they don't, then their season may end with an underwhelming result.