Chicago Bulls Want Derrick Rose To Improve Defense

Chicago Bulls star and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose needs to play better defense according to head coach Tom Thibodeau.

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Offense has never been a problem for Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, though defense hasn’t exactly been his selling point. That’s not to say Rose can’t be a solid defender at times but there is plenty of room for improvement.

That’s how Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau feels as he wants to see the former NBA MVP become a better defender.

“He’s got to do a lot better [defensively],’’ Thibodeau said. “He’s not the only one.’’

Thibodeau and the Chicago Bulls have built themselves around defense though you have to wonder how much Derrick Rose’s injuries are playing a factor into his defensive struggles. Even the slightest reduction in lateral quickness will give the opposition just that much more of a first step and have you playing at a disadvantage. Is that something Derrick Rose is currently facing? It’s hard to tell currently as Rose won’t admit to the injuries taking away from some of his athletic ability though it obviously has to be a concern.

More pressing for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls is the fact that he does play point guard and often opposing penetration is the main reason defenses can collapse. Allowing such forces teammates to get out of position and draws big men away from the basket, so the Bulls really need Derrick Rose to be as strong on the defensive side as possible.

For now though the Chicago Bulls will continue to run with what they have and hope Derrick Rose can become a bit more fluid on the defensive end. Given what we’ve seen from them in the past, they’ll likely correct the problem but Derrick Rose will certainly need to buy in if they do.

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