The Chicago Bulls had a 22-point lead against the San Antonio Spurs. Somehow, they still found a way to lose.
For a team sitting at 1-9, that's the kind of performance that should have people asking some uncomfortable questions. And while the players deserve plenty of blame, head coach Tiago Splitter shouldn't escape criticism.
Chicago has now lost eight consecutive games. Worse yet, the Bulls are finding new ways to embarrass themselves.
Bulls' latest collapse raises questions about Tiago Splitter
Chicago looked like a completely different team during the first half against San Antonio. The Bulls scored 70 points, moved the basketball effectively and appeared headed toward a much-needed victory.
Then came the third quarter.
Eight turnovers helped San Antonio erase Chicago's comfortable advantage. What had been an encouraging performance quickly turned into another reminder of why the Bulls are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
These aren't the mistakes you'd expect from a team playing with confidence.
Splitter inherited a difficult situation, and nobody expected Chicago to suddenly become a playoff contender. But there's a difference between losing because your opponent has more talent and losing because your team can't protect a 22-point lead.
The latter falls squarely on coaching.
At some point, adjustments need to happen before an opponent completely takes control.
Chicago's problems are becoming impossible to ignore
The Bulls have bigger issues than one disastrous quarter.
Their defense has struggled, turnovers continue to derail promising stretches, and the team rarely seems capable of putting together four consistent quarters.
Now Chicago must navigate the next several weeks without rookie Caleb Wilson, who reportedly underwent surgery on his fractured right hand.
That certainly won't make Splitter's job any easier.
Still, injuries can't become an excuse for everything. Chicago had more than enough opportunities to finish off San Antonio before watching another victory slip away.
The Bulls aren't expected to win a championship this season. Nobody is asking Splitter to work miracles with a rebuilding roster.
What fans should expect is a team that competes, makes adjustments and occasionally remembers how to close out a basketball game.
Right now, even those expectations seem ambitious.
Splitter might not be responsible for Chicago's roster construction, but he's responsible for what happens on the court.
And after eight consecutive losses, his seat should be getting considerably warmer.
| More Bulls on DaWindyCity |
Add us as a preferred source on Google