The Chicago Bulls have not played well over the last two weeks, and Derrick Rose is tired of it.
After Monday’s 108-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was Chicago’s sixth loss in its last eight games, Rose was not shy about expressing his frustration.
“Everybody has to be on the same page,” he told reporters, via Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. “Until then, we’re going to continue to get our ass kicked.”
The Bulls have played their last three games without Joakim Noah, and his absence has left an obvious void in the intensity department. According to Rose, the Bulls are also struggling with communication.
“I think communication is huge,” he said. “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.”
When someone noted that the team could still be having trouble adjusting to new players like Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Aaron Brooks, Rose brushed the comment aside.
“We’re midway through the season,” he explained. “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 whooped.”
The Bulls sound like they could really use Noah back so he can say stuff like this to reporters while things aren’t going well. With their next four games coming against the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, things are not going to get any easier for Chicago.
