Bulls Game No. 44: Derrick Rose talks a big game, then plays one

Final. 81. 29. 104. 24

Monday night might have been the lowest point of the season for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Three days and some angry Rose comments later, the Bulls got back on track with a huge home victory over the defending world champions on Thursday night.

“We’ve got to give a better effort. It seems like we’re not even competing and it’s f—ing irritating.”

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Those were the words of Derrick Rose during his post-game interviews after a 14-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

Rose was infuriated over his team’s performance on the road against the team most thought would challenge the Bulls in the Eastern Conference race.

In the three days leading up to the Bulls’ next game against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, the big story from Bulls camp was “Tom Thibodeau is in ‘serious trouble‘ in Chicago”.

"“A source close to the Bulls tells SheridanHoops that eating the remaining money (roughly $11 million) and years (two after this season) on Thibodeau’s contract will not be a concern to management or ownership if they decide to fire him.”-Chris Sheridan on Tom Thibodeau’s status, SheridanHoops.com"

Apparently, those words found the Bulls superstar point guard before Thursday’s game in Chicago.

Rose backed up his coach and his team with one of his best performances all season in a 104-81 romp over the Spurs. In the first game after news broke about restrictions being taken off Derrick Rose’s minutes moving forward, Rose exploded for 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting with five assists.

Thursday wasn’t the highest point total on the season for Rose, but the way he was scoring his points was what made the game enjoyable for Bulls fans. Rose attacked the lane relentlessly, scoring 16 of his 22 points inside the paint and did some MVP-like things along the way.

That ridiculous lay-in from Rose was just one of the many bright spots for the Bulls on Thursday night. Rose led the way for five other Bulls who scored in double figures, along with the Bulls putting the clamps down on the Spurs defensively.

Spurs 81 points matches their fewest in a game this season.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) January 23, 2015

Rose wanted his guys to compete and they answered his challenge.

"“Tonight we came out and competed. Basketball, or any sport, is all about competing, and I think we lost that edge on the competing side where we were just out there playing basketball, not taking on that challenge. Tonight we made an emphasis on that and it worked our way.”-Derrick Rose on the Bulls, CSNChicago.com"

Not only was Rose pleased with his team’s effort, he defended his coach by saying:

Rose backing Thibs: "The way that we've been playing don't have anything to do with Thibs."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 23, 2015

Rose on Thibs: "He's preparing us right. He's doing everything and did everything possible to prepare us as a coach."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 23, 2015

Thursday night brought out the best in the Bulls. Not only did they score 100+ points for the 26th time(!) in the first 44 games, they held a legitimate title contender in the Western Conference to their lowest point total all season long. That’s impressive.

The Bulls got rookie Doug McDermott back for the first time since November 30th for a few garbage-time minutes and both Mike Dunleavy, Jr. and Joakim Noah are relatively close to returning from ankle injuries.

So to sum up Thursday night in the simplest terms, if Tom Thibodeau’s “hot seat” was hot, it’s colder than the Kirk Hinrich‘s shooting percentage.

(Apologies, Kirk. But most Bulls fans are (blank)ing irritated with your shooting.)

Next up for the Bulls (28-16): Friday @ Dallas, 7:00 PM CT, ESPN NBA Friday doubleheader.

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Next: Bulls Game No. 43: Things just keep getting worse for the Bulls

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