Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

3 fixes for the Chicago Bulls to make the playoffs

By Adi Bhatta

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 21: Head Coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 21: Head Coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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With the recent news that All-Star Zach LaVine will be placed in health and safety protocols for the foreseeable future, the chances of the Chicago Bulls squeezing into the NBA playoffs look slim. But if the Bulls can work on some of the aspects of their game outlined here, there still may be a chance.

1. The Chicago Bulls Defense

In the 11 games Nikolva Vucevic has played in for the Bulls, they have plummeted to 25th in defensive efficiency, only being able to muster up a measly 3 wins in that period of time. While the Bulls defense already wasn’t amazing (21st in efficiency), that is no justification for how awful they have been.

In just that span of time alone, we have seen the likes of Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Trae Young and Chris Boucher all score over 30 points, with other big games coming from the likes of Karl Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Paskal Siakam.

Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

While Vucevic alone isn’t an amazing defender, it would be wrong to put the blame solely on him. It’s not entirely surprising that the defense has slipped up a bit, considering the Bulls dealt 2 very good defenders away in Otto Porter Jr and Wendell Carter Jr to get Vucevic, but it still doesn’t excuse the lack of effort on most plays.

Related Story. Bulls that need to step up in the absence of LaVine. light

Without LaVine to make up the difference offensively, it’s gonna take a collective effort from everyone to try and tighten it up while the new-look offense without the All-Star sorts itself out.

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