Chicago Bulls Must Decide Which Group Will Close Out Games

By Kristen Fazio @Kristen_Fazio on October 20, 2014

The Chicago Bulls‘ roster and rotation has begun to take shape as the preseason comes to an end, but it is yet to be seen which group will close out games in the fourth quarter. Tom Thibodeau must decide on a closing unit before the season starts on Oct. 29.

Newly acquired Pau Gasol recently voiced his displeasure with not being in the game during the critical minutes of the fourth quarter saying it’s not a ‘good sign’ because it means the coach ‘doesn’t trust you’ when the game is on the line. Last season, Taj Gibson received all of the minutes down the stretch at power forward over then starter Carlos Boozer. Gibson has already relinquished the starting role to Gasol for the betterment of the team, and it would be hard to see Thibodeau not having him close out the game as Gibson was often the Bulls’ best fourth-quarter player last season.

Only three of the five positions are set in stone to close games — Derrick Rose at point guard, Jimmy Butler at either shooting guard or small forward and Joakim Noah at center. If Thibodeau is looking for a defensive-heavy unit to close games, then Kirk Hinrich will be part of the group, but if he still wants a shooter on the floor it will be either Mike Dunleavy or Doug McDermott.

Thibodeau does not have to exclusively use the same group to finish every game, but he has generally stuck to the same unit in past seasons. Gasol is a much more capable defender than Boozer, so it is possible that Gasol and Gibson will be used interchangeably depending on the situation down the stretch.

Thibodeau has called it a ‘work in progress’ and has kept his rotation plans close to the vest, but his decision is looming and we likely won’t see what he decides on until the regular season. Every player wants to be on the floor with the game on the line, but a couple of players will have to make sacrifices for the team.