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DeMar DeRozan says the Chicago Bulls are getting better but still have work to do

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Stephen Beslic | Last updated Dec 8, 2023 7:51 AM ET

After a miserable stretch where they lost eight of nine games, the Chicago Bulls have seemingly hit their stride, winning three games in a row. And while there remains a lot of work to be done as they remain below the .500 mark at 8-14, veteran wingman DeMar DeRozan believes his team is capable of turning it around this season.

Keep on building

With All-Star guard Zach LaVine out for nearly a month due to a foot inflammation, Deebo has had to shoulder the leadership mantle for the Bulls. The veteran is liking what he’s seeing from his team of late. Now, DeRozan says they just have to keep on building the habits that have paved the way for this winning streak to happen.

“We’ve just got to keep building. Shots are going in (now),” DeRozan said.

During this three-game run, the Bulls are scoring at an efficient rate—118 points per game on 47% shooting. However, the most glaring stat is the assist total, as the Bulls are averaging 29 assists per game in this winning stretch.

Creating shot opportunities

LaVine’s absence has created a ripple effect for the Bulls in that it has opened up more shot opportunities for the rest of the team. One player who has stepped up to the plate in the last three games is guard Coby White, who’s averaging 24.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while making five three-pointers per game.

“We are getting a better feel for getting stops, getting out in transition, getting easier buckets, getting downhill, and creating more shot opportunities for guys. It’s been working for us,” he assessed.

Still, the veteran knows how quickly things can change in this league; one day, a team can be on a high, and the next week, a team can be in the midst of another losing slump.

“We’ve still got to clean up a lot defensively and rebounding. We can get better offensively with execution. We still haven’t scratched the surface of what we can be on both ends,” DeRozan said.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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