5 Chicago Bulls Who Must Step Up for Team to Reach Its Full Potential

The Chicago Bulls are starting to spiral downward, but a few players stepping up could turn the tide.

Chicago's biggest flaw this season has surprisingly been its defense. After ranking no lower than third in points allowed per game since Tom Thibodeau became head coach in 2010, the Bulls are currently 18th, giving up a hair under 100 points every night.

Fortunately, they're able to now score at a high volume, averaging 101.9 points per contest, ninth in the league. However, there are still a couple of players who could improve their game to maximize efficiency.

Will these guys step up and turn Chicago's season around?

Kirk Hinrich

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Kirk Hinrich isn't going to light up the scoreboard, but he has become an offensive liability. He currently has an offensive real plus-minus of minus-1.98, ranking him 73rd among point guards (82nd for 2-guards), per ESPN.com. He's shooting a career-low 36.5 and 33.8 percent from the field and behind the arc, respectively.

In order for the Bulls offense to flow better, Hinrich has to keep defenders honest. If he's not a threat to knock down the long ball, then players can just help off of him with no worry.

Hinrich's saving grace is his defense. Chicago has a 100.9 defensive rating when he's on the court, three points better than when he's sitting. He guards multiple positions well, giving Chicago's backcourt some versatility, especially late in games if they have to switch on screens.

Things could get easier for Hinrich once Mike Dunleavy returns from injury, as Captain Kirk would head back to the bench where he has averaged just over 24 minutes per game as opposed to the 30 he does as a starter. He'd serve as the primary ball-handler with the second unit, taking the scoring pressure off of him and allowing him to focus on running the offense.

Nikola Mirotic

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After a strong December where the former Euroleague star won Rookie of the Month honors, Nikola Mirotic is now hanging out in the Thibodeau doghouse.

On Jan. 23, he logged a measly two minutes in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. He played a crucial role in Chicago's victory over the Golden State Warriors, though, stretching the floor and knocking down big shots in key moments. Against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 30, Mirotic's playing time went down once again, clocking out after just seven minutes in a losing effort.

Mirotic has struggled defensively—the main cause for his fluctuating minutes. He's not a rim protector, nor is he laterally quick enough to guard athletic 3s, so it's hard to find a right place for him.

His offense has dipped drastically over the last month as well. Thibodeau had this to say about his rookie, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times: “It's to be expected. He’s not shooting well, but there are other things he can do. The concern has been the rebounding and then the matchups. You have to look at whom he can guard; that’s the big thing.”

In January, Mirotic shot an abysmal 26.5 percent from behind the arc and grabbed just 2.9 rebounds per game.

Mirotic could serve as a catalyst off the bench once he gets his game together, though. The Bulls score 105.4 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor, and he's a legitimate three-point option who can also attack off the dribble.

The 23-year-old rookie could take a while before he’s fully comfortable with the NBA, but Chicago needs him to start realizing his potential sooner rather than later.

Tom Thibodeau

As one of the NBA's most diligent coaches, Thibodeau quickly gained a reputation for the gritty attitude he exudes and brings out in all of his players. With some new faces this year, he’s had to adjust as well, and it’s led to a defense with lots of holes.

Changes have to be made, especially as the Bulls dropped yet another game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday night.

B/R's own Ric Bucher reported above that Noah wants more playing time at center, and rightfully so. When he's away from the basket guarding 4s, it detracts from the strength Chicago’s unit had last season, where Noah was the last line of defense—something he excelled at.

Bucher suggested moving either Noah or Pau Gasol to the bench, and solely considering the defense, it makes the most sense for the Spaniard to come in with the second unit.

Both Taj Gibson and Noah have years of experience playing together. In 2013-14, when both were on the floor, Chicago had a defensive rating of 97.2.

Thibodeau hasn't made any drastic lineup changes in the past, so it's hard to believe he would now. But as the Bulls continue to fall in the Eastern Conference, it might be time.

Pau Gasol

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Chances are Chicago's lineup will remain as is, meaning Gasol has to be the catalyst in helping the defense regain its elite status.

His rim protection has been solid, as he's holding opponents to a respectable 48.2 percent at the basket. It's his inability to guard players from the free-throw line and out that is of large concern.

Gasol is not very light on his feet, and his lack of quickness hurts his pick-and-roll defense because he's forced to stay back near the paint or else players will simply drive by him. Gasol won't miraculously become more agile overnight, but his movements must be precise to make up for his sluggish nature.

Gasol definitely qualifies as one of the guys on the team who has to show more effort, and it's present in his rebounding as well.

Opponents grab 27 percent of their offensive rebounds when the five-time All-Star is on the floor, the highest among Chicago's big men. When Gasol is on the bench, that figure drops to 23.7 percent, making him the only 4 or 5 on the team who has a negative net in this regard.

Gasol isn't the only one who could use a little pep in his step, but he's one of the Bulls' mainstays, so it's urgent that he improves his defense.

Derrick Rose

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Rose's struggles this year are no secret, but they've occurred partly because he's forcing himself to become a player he shouldn't be. He's attempting a career-high 5.7 three-pointers per game despite shooting a horrendous 29.6 percent, easily the worst of his career in terms of volume.

The former MVP remains adamant in his shooting, but at some point he has to stop trying to convince himself it will get better. What he has to do is go back to what made him so dominant earlier in his career.

Rose is tied for ninth with Monta Ellis in the league with 6.5 points per game on drives to the basket. Among those 10 players, Rose has the least amount of drives per game with 7.4, nearly two fewer than Ellis.

When Rose attacks the rim, it opens up the floor for everyone else. Gasol is able to get open looks from the elbow or the free-throw line, Jimmy Butler gets driving lanes and shooters can spot up for drive-and-kick situations.

It's a catalyst for Chicago's offense, especially when he can get to the line. According to Ben Alamar and ESPN Stats & Info, the Bulls score 107 points per 100 possessions when Rose attempts at least 6.6 free throws per game.

Thibodeau has been driving this point home all season, per Mike Singer of CSN Chicago:

"

He's gotta attack. That’s the bottom line. … All I know is when he's pushing the ball up the floor and attacking, that's who he is. He can't defer. He can't pace himself. He's gotta go. … We need him to be Derrick.

"

It couldn't be more pressing now, as the Bulls offense has seen its share of stagnant moments with a lack of ball and player movement. The sooner Rose adjusts his game, the smoother the climb will be as the Bulls look to turn this campaign around.

Stats gathered from Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless otherwise stated and accurate as of Feb. 4.