The defense is nowhere near where guard Coby White wants to see it.
The team’s, his own, none of it.
White hopes that changes soon because after the Bulls’ dismal start, any turnaround will have to begin with defense.
After finishing fifth in defensive efficiency (111.5) last season, the Bulls entered the game against the Pelicans on Saturday ranked 21st (115.2). That’s not a drop-off; it’s a free fall. But White believes the problems are reparable.
“For us, we’ve got to be more disciplined, more bought in, but definitely more disciplined,” he said. “I think our intentions are right there, but we’ve got to be a little more locked in to the game plan.”
It’s no surprise that buying in was again brought up as an issue. It has been an ongoing storyline the last few weeks, with several Bulls tuning out assignments as well as each other.
And while White’s individual defensive rating is less than stellar (119.1), it’s not because he’s unprepared.
A 2019 first-round pick, White has been putting more into film study the last few seasons and is getting more familiar with the tendencies of opposing guards.
That’s why he was confident that his 114 rating from last season would be easily obtainable and surpassed.
As for the Bulls as a team, they have to start defending better against the three-point shot.
“Last year, what was really good was we were always making that second effort,” White said.
“When we started to get out to every shooter, that’s when we were at our best. We’ve got to get back to doing that.”
White said that begins and ends with communication. When the Bulls have a breakdown — a frequent occurrence this season — miscommunication is often the reason.
It’s a disturbing trend for players who were a part of such a stingy defense last season.
“It’s a different year, but obviously it’s frustrating because we want to be on the same page,’’ White said. ‘‘We’re working to get on that same page, especially [defensively], but it’s a work in progress. It’s part of the grind going on right now to try to dig out of this hole. We want to get back to being a top-five defense, but we’ve got to get back to putting in the work.
“We obviously have damn near the same team, so we’ve just got to communicate, play for each other and have each other’s back.”
Being careful with Zach
For the team’s benefit on the court and with the trade market in mind, it’s important for the Bulls to make sure that Zach LaVine (right foot) is completely healthy when he’s ready to return. That’s why they’ll remain cautious in getting him up and running again.
Coach Billy Donovan said LaVine usually “plays through stuff,” but the organization wants him completely pain-free.
“He doesn’t say a lot sometimes,” Donovan said.
“But the feeling from the medical staff was to try to get it completely resolved.’’
Getting reacquainted
The game Saturday was only the fifth time the Bulls had faced injury-plagued Pelicans forward Zion Williamson in the regular season since he came into the league in 2019. In the four previous matchups, Williamson averaged 24.8 points and shot 65% from the field.
