Facing an 82-70 deficit with just 2 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the Chicago Bulls could have easily succumbed to the pressure and conceded defeat. The team has been plagued by injuries throughout the season, with key players like Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
However, instead of throwing in the towel, DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls rallied to secure a remarkable 114-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. DeRozan, who is no stranger to adversity, shed light on the Bulls’ mindset during this challenging period, stating, “It’s not a boxing match, it’s a brawl.”
The Bulls have been pushed into a corner, much like a wounded animal, yet they have refused to back down despite the numerous obstacles they have faced this season. They have adopted a “never say die” attitude, fighting until the very end of each game.
“In a brawl, anything goes. You gotta bite, scratch, pull, whatever you gotta do to win the game, that’s kind of the mindset you got to have. It ain’t always going to be pretty. We can’t expect it to be pretty, as long as we walk away with the W, that’s the only thing that matters,” DeRozan emphasized.
The Bulls’ current situation is far from ideal. With so many players sidelined, the team’s rotation has been stretched thin, resulting in players like DeRozan having to log an excessive number of minutes (he played 40 minutes against New Orleans). However, DeRozan has urged his teammates to make the most of the situation.
“It’s always easy whenever you have any adversity to fold, to make excuses, to give in, whine, and complain,” DeRozan remarked.
“You don’t hear that from any of us. We just try and figure it out the best way we can every single day. Nothing is ideal. That’s one thing I try to stress to the guys: I expect to get up every day, but I don’t expect the weather to be sunny every single day. With that, I try to make the best out of every situation I’m in.”
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