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Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is "fucking" irritated and slammed his team's lack of effort as the NBA team have dropped six of their last eight games. The former NBA MVP lashed out following the 27-16 Bulls 108-94 loss to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, and his coach Tom Thibodeau reacted by calling their play "unacceptable" before canceling the team's practice.
Well, the Bulls just cancelled practice. Maybe the players' voices won out after three games in four nights.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
I can't remember a time when a practice was cancelled so close to the actual time it was about to start. Strange times for Bulls right now. — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
According to ESPN's Bulls reporter Nick Friedell, a clearly peeved Rose was seething after the los to the Bulls NBA central division rival Cavs. "Everybody has to be on the same page," exhorted Rose. "Until then, we're going to continue to get our ass kicked."
But Rose wouldn't single out specific teammates, adding that "It's just the whole team." He added, "I think communication is huge. We're quiet when we're out there, and it's leading to them getting easy baskets. We got to give a better effort. It seems like we're not even competing, and it's f---ing irritating."
As frustrated as I can remember hearing Rose after a game. Doesn't know how to fix what ails Bulls right now. — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
Derrick Rose: "Everybody has to be on the same page, until then we're going to continue to get our ass kicked." — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
Rose -- Who isn't on the same page?: "It's just the whole team. Not communicating when we're on the floor to one another. Everybody's quiet" — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
Rose: "We've got to give a better effort. It seems like we're not even competing and it's f***ing irritating." — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
That's the problem, said Rose. They have enough games under their belt that for them to meekly give up games is a big problem. As Friedell points out, Rose added "We're midway through the season. That should be a part of [the discussion]. There's no excuses.
"My biggest thing is competing. Playing this game for so long, when you don't have that edge, we're going to keep getting our ass whupped."
Coach Tom Thibodeau agreed, saying "We got to decide when enough's enough. The way we're playing is not acceptable, so we have to change it."
Thibs: "We got to decide when enough's enough. The way we're playing is not acceptable so we have to change it." — Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2015
As Yahoo! Sports' Eric Freeman points out, "Rose is known for keeping an even keel and not getting too emotional, so these comments are notable primarily for the degree of frustration."
Even still, ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes both the Bulls and the Cavs are the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. Says Windhorst, "When it comes to talent and the historically valuable ingredients usually required to make it through multiple playoff series, the Cavs and Bulls rate more favorably than their peers in the East."
He adds that the problem appears to be the Bulls defense, which has "just surrendered more than 100 points for a fifth consecutive game. Last season the Bulls only gave up 100 points in regulation five times after Jan. 1."
What do you think: should Rose be worried with the team's sixth loss in eight games?
