March 17--The Bulls dropped to 33-33 with their road loss to the Wizards. Here are three observations.
Something keeps getting lost in translation from coaches to players
Fred Hoiberg said he and his staff spent two days talking about the need to limit the Wizards' transition attack. Then, Washington piled up 25 fast-break points. Granted, several of these came off live-ball turnovers as the Bulls reverted to issues with ball security.
But early on, the Wizards came right at the Bulls and the Bulls failed to respond. They didn't rush back and match up. That's just effort and execution.
Doug McDermott needs more shots
After scoring 13 first-half points, McDermott attempted zero shots in six third-quarter minutes. Yes, the Wizards' defense paid more attention to him. But the Bulls need to do a better job of recognizing who has the hot hand. And the coaching staff needs to make sure to utilize McDermott.
Hoiberg cited the absence of Taj Gibson, who didn't play the second half with a right hamstring injury, as one issue for McDermott.
"The big thing is Taj did a really good job last game coming down in transition and finding where (McDermott's) man was and pinning him," Hoiberg said. "He got him a couple great looks. But we have to get him the ball."
Jimmy Butler doesn't look like himself
Butler is downplaying any lingering effects from the left knee injury that sidelined him for 14 of 15 games recently. But he isn't getting to the free-throw line with the typical frequency he does, he's missing shots he normally hits and isn't moving as well defensively.
He's now 9-for-30 in his first two games back.
"Terrible," Butler said of his play. "Can't make a shot, as you can tell. It will come. I didn't expect it to come right away. But I need it to come sooner rather than later. I have to produce. That's why they got me here."
