That recent meeting the Bulls had in the wake of comments from Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler calling out some of their younger teammates did more than just clear the air, it also sparked an offensive resurgence on the court.
"Ever since the meeting, guys are playing a lot harder, a lot better," forward Taj Gibson said.
That is never more evident than on the scoreboard as the Bulls have upped their pace and in the last three games have scored 121, 128 and 117 points, respectively.
"We’re just getting the ball out quick and we’re pushing," Gibson said. "We have athletes; we have guys who can run and jump. That’s my kind of basketball, getting the ball off the rim and running and constantly attacking. That’s how you really have to play on the West Coast."
Which is good, because that is where the Bulls are as they continue their six-game trip, with the next installment set for Monday night against the Kings in Sacramento.
The Bulls’ recent scoring surge has moved them into 23rd in the NBA at 102.1 points per game. Playing hard has helped, but much of the credit for the increased scoring goes to recognizing and exploiting mismatches and improved play from the second unit — led by veteran point guard Rajon Rondo — which not long ago was a black hole for production.
"We’re finding good lineups to play together and that’s key," Wade said. "Guys are knowing when their shots are coming and they’re getting comfortable. The communication has been a lot better from everybody.
"It has been good to see guys have big games, big moments for us and hit big shots. Everyone is enjoying each other’s success right now. If we continue that focus (and) we continue that as a unit, these last 31 games will be fun."
Photos of Dwyane Wade, who signed with the Bulls after a 13-year run with the Heat.
Said coach Fred Hoiberg: "I’ve been really pleased with our pace. We’ve done a good job establishing early the way we want to get up and down the floor. We’ve had very good spacing, we’ve had some mismatch opportunities that we’ve taken advantage of and we’ve spaced the floor well. When we do that, generally good things happen."
The spate of baskets could be challenged depending on the health of leading scorer Jimmy Butler, who missed the Bulls’ 121-117 loss to the Rockets in overtime Friday night in Houston.
Butler had an MRI on his bruised right heel Saturday that showed nothing structurally wrong and he’s day to day.
"Everything is centered around Jimmy," Wade said. "He guards the other team’s best player (and) we go to him on a lot of plays on the offensive end. A lot changes."
Gibson found that to be the case against the Rockets.
"It’s tough, man, when you have your closer missing," Gibson said. "At times in (Friday’s) game I was like, ‘Yeah, it would be great to have Jimmy out here.’ But we have some great guys, man. We have talented guys."
Those talented guys will be looked upon to keep filling the basket as the Bulls continue their jaunt out West.
ckuc@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChrisKuc
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
