Chicago Bulls' loss vs. Timberwolves highlights the team's lack of effort, especially on defense

The latest defeat for the Bulls underscores an all-encompassing mediocrity that will disappoint its most ardent fans.

© Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls' disastrous performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday can be summed up in two phrases: the Bulls' offense was humming, but their defense was not. 

The Bulls shot a remarkable 52% from the field and scored 126 points, but they could not contain the Timberwolves on the defensive end. Minnesota shot a white-hot 65% percent from the floor and got whatever they wanted from the second quarter onwards to seal their victory.

Lackluster effort

The loss highlights an issue that has plagued the Bulls all season long: consistent inconsistency on the defensive end of the court. 

While the Bulls have shown, they can stop powerhouse teams in victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, their lack of effort on defense has resulted in too many losses. It's clear the Bulls' offense is talented enough to keep pace with most teams, but if they don't show up on D, it won't matter.

"If we want to be any good, we have to confront the fact that you're not escaping competition," Donovan said. "We need to compete a whole lot better on the defensive end of the floor. And that's five guys being connected."

Billy Donovan added that he could implement all kinds of defensive schemes, but if the players on the floor aren't playing as a group and giving due effort, it won't make a difference.

"I can switch to zone. I can switch to different pick-and-roll coverages. But if the compete level is not high enough collectively as a group there, it doesn't make a difference. You gotta line up and physically put your nose, your body, your spirit, and soul in front of people," the Bulls' head coach said.

Billy Donovan says the Bulls need to compete "a whole lot better" defensively.

"I can switch to zone, I can switch to different pick-and-roll coverages. But if the compete level is not high enough collectively, it doesn't make a difference." pic.twitter.com/B5h5qfrIVt

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 19, 2022

Not playing for one another

The Bulls players agreed with their coach, with Zach LaVine saying that the team needed to trust each other more on defense and play for one another.

"Until we band together and start helping each other, you're not going to see a different result. You can't ask your team for effort each and every night. I think that's the first thing you have to bring top to bottom," LaVine said.

Goran Dragic, a veteran of many NBA seasons, had a much simpler assessment.

"We're not playing for each other," Goran Dragic said. "It's as simple as that."

Final. pic.twitter.com/tF4yKhzaTN

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2022