Chicago Bulls insider explains why the team's "Big 3" isn't working well together

A Bulls insider shares his thoughts on why the “Big 3” of the Chicago Bulls may not be working together to their fullest potential.

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The Chicago Bulls’ “Big 3” of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic have been together for several seasons now. Yet, every season seems to bring the same result—a team stuck in the middle of the pack, unable to break through and make it to the playoffs. So why isn’t this squad living up to expectations? NBC Sports’ Bulls insider K.C. Johnson shares his thoughts on why this trio just can’t seem to get it right.

Lack of a hierarchy

It's evident that every successful NBA team possesses a true leader. While these teams may boast multiple stars, ultimately, they rely on a single player to steer them towards victory. The Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, the Boston Celtics have Jayson Tatum, the Golden State boast of Stephen Curry, etc. Unfortunately for the Bulls, none of their players have stepped up to the plate to take charge.

“A big issue, and each of LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic have alluded to this separately at times, is the lack of a true pecking order. Sometimes, each player seems as if they’re deferring too much to the others,” Johnson wrote.

Compton's in the house pic.twitter.com/HfyrmKLtFy

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 7, 2023

Isolation tendencies

Bulls coach Billy Donovan sees this squad as capable of quick ball movement, where the ball swings from side to side until it lands in the hands of an open player. While the Bulls have, at times, shown the ability to make that happen, they've also become very isolation-oriented on occasion, no thanks to the isolation tendencies of the “Big 3.”

“Donovan’s true vision is for ball and player movement to create situations were two defenders are on the ball, and then the ball is swung to the open player to address a closeout situation. In other words, the game dictates who gets the shot,” Johnson continued.

“But especially in the cases of LaVine and DeRozan, who have the ability to create their own shots, they’re in deferral mode until they feel the need to try to create a rhythm. And that’s when isolation habits come into play.”

“Don’t do ‘em like that, AC."@SixtUSA | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/u2d2OXHVhF

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 7, 2023

Nikola Vucevic shares how much he enjoys playing when the ball is zipping from side to side