Three Views of the Bulls Loss

[FLCeltsFan]

There were 3 quotes that stood out to me after the Bulls loss.  First was Brad Stevens.

 “I’ve said this before: I’m disappointed in myself. I’ve got to do a lot better.”

I don't think he was completely wrong.  He should have called them out for their lack of effort.  He should have reeled in Terry Rozier when he was just chucking and not moving the ball.  He should have demanded they play the right way or sit them.   I know it's hard to deal with stars and with players that are becoming stars but that's his job. 

Second,  was Kyrie's comments. 

Kyrie was asked if he was worried about the way the team has struggled and he said “No, it’ll be fine.” When they asked him why, Irving answered “Because I’m here.”  Ego much, Kyrie???    

He later said “I don’t get frustrated by this stuff anymore. It’s just part of the regular season. In the playoffs, plan for a team, prepare for a team, I still don’t see anybody beating us in seven games.”  That may be all and good, but you can prepare for a team and if the effort isn't there, you will still lose.  There are problems with this team and pretending they will all go away in the playoffs doesn't solve them. 

Third,  Marcus Smart's comments.

“The way our effort is, it’s just embarrassing.  Our toughness. Our will to fight. Our will to do everything. It’s just like, we don’t got the will to do it anymore. I don’t know how you teach effort, will, want-to. I don’t think you can.”

Smart has never had the problemof effort.  They guy goes all out every second he is on the court.  But I think he hit the nail square on the head.  Too many players are not giving the effort every game.  The effort was there against the Sixers, against the Bucks, but against the Clippers, Lakers, Bulls?  Not even close.  It's like they think they can just turn the switch on and off.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. 

But notice that Smart didn't single out any players or groups like Kyrie did.  He includes himself in those comments, although he plays the hardest of any of the guys on the team.  But he is showing leadership.   Danny needs to hang on to this guy as he is the heart of this team. 

[meangreen]

Interesting stuff FL...Of these three the most troubling IMHO is Smart's comments. Brad didn't have one of his best gms and he'd said as much. Kyrie's ego doesn't bother me. A guy w/his talent normally has a big ego. He should be confident in his ability to carry/come through for the team when they need him to. He's done it more times than not. What you said about effort is true but I noticed & I'll probably mention it in another post is that this team normally does well in big gms vs big comp. Its the teams like Char, Chi, Dal, etc that they struggle against like you said & that's effort. Fans notice this and I think they were booed in one if not both of those LA gms as they should've been.

[Roadrunner]

I will bite on the last comment. A lot of people, including myself wondered why Danny gave Smart 4-years, $13/year, when no one offered anything else (granted restricted FAs are kind of tricky, because of the matching allowed). This year, Smart has earned that contract. However, does anyone think if Smart is plugged back into the 6th man, does he revert back to himself?

[jmost]

Smart has already reverted in one way - his shooting. He's back to being terrible. I'd put Brown back in the starting lineup and move Smart to the bench.

[Roadrunner]

Feb 27, 2019 12:05:22 GMT -5 jmost said:

Smart has already reverted in one way - his shooting. He's back to being terrible. I'd put Brown back in the starting lineup and move Smart to the bench.

Add Morris to that list too.

[eja117]

The problem is they're sissies and they play like it.