The Chicago Bulls suffered their worst loss in franchise history Saturday night, a 56 point battering at the hands of the Boston Celtics, 133-77. Following the loss, Bulls star Zach LaVine didn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts on the blowout when speaking to the media.
“We all should be (embarrassed). I can’t tell you (what happened). It sucked.”
Now, it seems LaVine wasn’t alone in his frustrations. The Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson reported that there were talks amongst the Bulls locker room to potentially skip the team’s scheduled practice. Instead of skipping the practice, the players ultimately opted to show up and hold a meeting, absent of team staff.
Per multiple sources, players started a group text exchange debating whether to show up at practice facility today. They ultimately decided to show up and told coaching staff they wanted players only meeting, which was followed by the meeting with coaches.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 9, 2018
But Johnson adds that veteran big man Robin Lopez and second-year star in the making Lauri Markkanen were the driving forces behind the Bulls coming together for practice.
After details of the players meeting emerged, further aspects were reported by ESPN’s Malika Andrews after speaking with Bulls rookie Center Wendell Carter Jr.
Carter said Zach LaVine and Justin Holiday led the meeting. https://t.co/6Htaw4WXMv
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 9, 2018
Despite the multiple media reports of the players initiating the aforementioned meeting, recently appointed Bulls Head Coach Jim Boylen disputed the claims by stating he ordered the team meeting. His players didn’t agree with his assessment and this comes just a few short days after Boylen said he didn’t like the players conditioning.
Jim Boylen disputes that players called for meetings today and said it was his decision to have meetings instead of on the court practice. Players conveyed that they called the meetings.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 9, 2018
The Chicago Bulls are currently last place in the Eastern Conference with an abysmal 6-21 record on the season. They’ll have their first chance at redemption for the Celtics loss Monday night when they host the Sacramento Kings.
