Timing. It's about timing.
Or it's hustle. Or it's motivational messages that fans cling to. Maybe it's the facial expressions on players as they enter the court from a timeout.
Well, not really.
Maybe no one knows anything. It's not been easy gauging how well-coached this Chicago Bulls team is after about a quarter of the season has passed.
Vinny Del Negro, the guy who earned a head coaching job in the third largest basketball market in the NBA with as much experience as a zealous intern, does seem like a guy with a plan.
No one saying it's a good plan--but it's a plan.
At this point, the Bulls are among the worst defensive teams in the league, nearly as bad as the AJ Guyton years. But they weren't supposed to be that good, given they lack a reliable interior defender of past.
Sure Tyrus Thomas will pick-up some highlight blocks and Joakim Noah will bark, spas and flail, but opposing guards seem to have a clear path to the basket on any given play. It's why Derrick Rose has looked like he is overwhelmed at times on defense.
No Ben Wallace, no PJ Brown,no Antonio Davis, no Tyson Chandler.
So we might be able to give Vinny a pass there. But we still don't know their philosophy on defense. Bulls beat writer Sam Smith, who is among my favorite analysts in sports (even if you don't like his trades), has reported that he sees little to no consistent defensive system in place.
And the run-and-gun-Mike-D'Antoni shell? We haven't seen it either. Rose is certainly doing his part, but this hardly resembles anything the New York Knicks or Phoenix Suns do.
Maybe because they both have more talent.
Most of it is high pick and roll, with back-door screens set up for Ben Gordon. It makes sense that Gordon has thrived under this offense with the terrific playmaking provided by Rose, but doesn't explain why Luol Deng has regressed in every facet of his game.
His $72 million extension is already looking like a massive mistake, given that Gordon can score at will and Deng can't dribble or defend. He is not even hitting his mid-range jumper.
So what does Deng really give you, at this point? His ankle injury will give the Bulls more time to evaluate Thabo Sefolosha and more time for Larry Hughes to complain publicly about his lack of playing time.
Speaking of complaints, my biggest beef with DelNegro at this point is his lack of defensive identity, and the way he uses his timeouts in the second half. It is a skill, make no mistake about it.
Phil Jackson and Gregg Poppovich are often credited with being the best in the business at controlling game tempo or curbing runs with timeouts.
The Bulls often go into these mindless spurts where they defend by fouling and begin giving up offensive rebounds. You could almost see Del Harris declare mutiny on DelNegro, and start screaming from half-court at the team.
But there have been some positives. Rose has blossomed at an earlier rate than anyone would have assumed. It took two weeks for the Michael Beasley contrasts to go away.
It was DelNegro's mission to get the guard up to NBA speed, traveling with him to the Summer League, as well as spending time training with the 2008 Olympic team.
It's clear Rose excels when the lane is clear, flashing his impeccable speed and explosiveness. But again, Rose is so good, it's hard not to wonder if he would mature quickly under any coach.
Great players do that.
He also has been fair with minutes, giving Larry Hughes (to his dismay) a 6th-man role and giving Noah plenty of time on the bench. He's not going to be much of a player in the NBA but will last longer than he should because of his height.
The Bulls have racked up a terrible December on the road, where they can go winless if they don't beat the New Jersey Nets tonight.
How they'll do it we don't know. But like the Chicago Bears, it's not going to be on defense. Hopefully this coach realizes it more than the football one.
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