Chicago Bulls Falling Apart as Derrick Rose Vents and Tom Thibodeau Cancels Practice

The Chicago Bulls have lost two straight and dropped six of their last eight games. Last night’s loss to the Cavaliers was especially annoying for the Bulls because recent narratives tell us that the Cavaliers are hackfrauds who can’t possibly contend and the Bulls are championship contenders. Just look back a few weeks at ESPN’s infallible power rankings which had the Bulls at #1 and the Cavs at #15. While the Cavs haven’t exactly surged, things in Chicago appear to be falling apart.

After the loss to the Cavs, Rose vented. Via the Chicago Tribune:

"“Everybody has to be on the same page. Until then, we’re going to continue to get our ass kicked,” Derrick Rose said. “We’re not communicating while we’re on the floor to one another. Everybody is quiet. Trust plays a part, but communicating on defense in a team sport is huge. “We’ve got to give a better effort. It seems like we’re not even competing. It’s (bleeping) irritating.”"

There are rumors that Thibodeau has “lost his locker room.” Now this…

Oof. Rose can’t be the only one frustrated. Six losses in eight games and it’s been weeks since the last Jimmy Butler for MVP column was published. And now they’re canceling practice? This goes against the Bulls’ core principles. More from the Tribune:

"The defining characteristic of the Bulls under Thibodeau has been a gritty, relentless, workmanlike team up for most any challenge, undermanned or not. Energy and intensity always were in abundance, even if healthy bodies were not."

I don’t know if the Bulls are actually regressing or the team is just in a pre-All-Star funk, but I do know that canceling practice is not very gritty, relentless or workmanlike.