The Chicago Bulls dropped their first game of the season to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, but it was more than just any other loss. They got blown out, losing 124-104, and the ramifications of the defeat spilled into the locker room as Chicago held a players-only meeting.
Tensions were high, and conversation was flowing as Bulls players talked through their feelings after the tough loss. Head coach Billy Donovan said this sort of conflict is a good thing, as the Bulls are looking to embrace it this season rather than shy away from it in hopes of improving as a whole.
After the game and the meeting, Zach LaVine spoke about it and how the team should be feeling.
“Guys want to win,” LaVine said via NBC Sports Chicago. “You put up a game like this in Game One and people are going to have some conversations. Guys are frustrated and you should be. If you’re not frustrated, it says it all.”
In addition, LaVine noted that the team has to get on the same page as a collective rather than jut a group of individuals.
“It sucks to have it happen in Game One,” said LaVine. “It happened. We gotta go from there. Guys are going to speak their mind after a game. Coaches are as well. We all gotta get it out and make sure we’re on the same page. It’s not one individual that lost. It’s the whole team.”
Chicago’s next chance to get back on track will be on Friday, October 27 against the Toronto Raptors. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Central time.
