DeMar DeRozan reveals what the Chicago Bulls' mentality is on this injury-riddled stretch run

"You gotta bite, scratch, pull, whatever you gotta do to win the game."

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As Chicago faced an 82-70 deficit with 2:40 to go in the third, the Bulls could have easily folded and called it a day. Injuries have plagued the team all season, with key players like Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams missing the remainder of the season. 

But instead of accepting defeat, DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls fought back to nab a 114-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Deebo, no stranger to adversity, revealed the Bulls' mentality during this difficult stretch run, sharing, “It’s not a boxing match, it’s a brawl.”

Pushed into a corner

Like a wounded animal that has been cornered, the Bulls have not backed down despite the challenges they have faced this season. Instead, they have taken on a "never say die" attitude, fighting until the end of each game.

“In a brawl, anything goes. You gotta bite, scratch, pull, whatever you gotta do to win the game, that’s kind of the mindset you got to have. It ain’t always going to be pretty. We can’t expect it to be pretty, as long as we walk away with the W, that’s the only thing that matters,” Deebo said.

DeMar DeRozan is really good at basketball and makes really cool plays like this slam dunk. pic.twitter.com/AnFA4eGX3S

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 26, 2024

Making the best out of the situation

The Bulls’ situation isn’t ideal. With so many players out, the rotation has been stretched thin, resulting in players like DeRozan having to play an inordinate amount of minutes (he played 40 minutes against New Orleans). However, as DeRozan shared with his teammates, they must make the most out of the situation.

“It’s always easy whenever you have any adversity to fold, to make excuses, to give in, whine, complain,” DeRozan added.

“You don’t hear that from none of us. We just try and figure it out the best way we can figure it out every single day. Nothing is ideal. That’s one thing I try and stress to the guys – I expect to get up every day, but I don’t expect the weather to be sunny and sunshine every single day. With that I try and make the best out of every situation I’m in.”

DEMAR DEROZAN!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YuYWiOyyS1

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 26, 2024

Scrappy Chicago Bulls pull off a huge win over the New Orleans Pelicans