🚨 CHICAGO BULLS’ STRUGGLES: Billy Donovan’s Philosophy Faces Major Challenges with Undersized Roster 👇

Coach Billy Donovan, the voice of reason for the Chicago Bulls, has never been one to hold up a stop sign—at least not when it comes to his team’s offense. Despite a roster that’s undersized and relatively inexperienced, Donovan knows his team has little choice but to play fast. In fact, slowing down and focusing on half-court execution simply isn’t an option for the Bulls this season.

“We’re trying to obviously get that done,” Donovan said, discussing the team’s fast-paced philosophy. “The other point is, if we don’t try to play in transition and play fast, we don’t have enough cohesiveness and chemistry to be this team where we’re going to out-execute you in the halfcourt.”

For a team that’s struggling to find its rhythm, the fast-break style of play is not just a preference, but a necessity. With key players injured and a roster that lacks the depth and size of top contenders, the Bulls have been forced to adjust their strategy to compensate for these limitations.

The Loss of Nikola Vucevic: A Major Adjustment

Among all the players traded away in recent years, none has been harder to replace than center Nikola Vucevic. Known for his versatility, basketball IQ, and ability to facilitate offense from the post, Vucevic’s absence has been felt most acutely in the Bulls’ halfcourt sets. Donovan has acknowledged that much of the team’s offense last season revolved around Vucevic’s skills, both as a scorer and a passer.

“A lot of what we did, the biggest adjustment has been not having Vooch here,” Donovan said. “He was such a facilitator and a pocket player, a guy who can score at different levels. You ran offense through him.”

Without Vucevic, the Bulls have been forced to adjust their offensive game plan. The absence of such a skilled and versatile big man has left the team searching for ways to replace his contributions, particularly in the halfcourt. Donovan noted that without Vucevic’s presence, the Bulls struggle to execute efficiently in the halfcourt, where they simply lack the time and cohesion to make the necessary adjustments. As the league continues to trend toward faster-paced play, Donovan recognizes that playing faster could be the team’s best hope for success.

“The way the league is going, you want to play a little faster,” he said. “If we try to play in the halfcourt, one, we don’t have enough [practice] time to work on that execution, and, two, we don’t have the size or depth to match up with other teams in those sets.”

The Challenge of Conditioning and Player Roles

While Donovan sees potential in players like Collin Sexton, Rob Dillingham, and Anfernee Simons to play up-tempo basketball, there are concerns about their conditioning. These players, who are stepping into more prominent roles, are playing more minutes than they did with their previous teams. For Donovan, this presents a balancing act between getting the most out of his players and protecting their long-term health.

“What’s been difficult for me is as much as you want to practice, you have guys coming in here who are playing more minutes now than they did at their prior teams,” Donovan explained. “There is a concern medically that we’ve got to be careful that if these guys get ramped up so many minutes, [they could] end up going out.”

The challenge for the Bulls coaching staff is to avoid overworking their players, particularly with key players like Sexton and Dillingham who are still adjusting to bigger roles in the rotation. If the Bulls continue to push them too hard, there’s a risk that injuries could mount, further derailing the team’s season.

Struggles with Injuries and Limited Depth

On top of the struggles with offensive execution, the Bulls have been hit hard by injuries. Forward Patrick Williams is currently sidelined with a quadriceps strain, and while Donovan hopes to get him back in about a week, there’s no guarantee he will return to form immediately. The loss of Williams, who has shown defensive potential, leaves the Bulls even more thin in the frontcourt.

“[Williams’ timetable] will probably be at least a week,” Donovan said. “It could be longer, although I think they would try to ramp him up and do some more in about a week [after they] can get it to calm down.”

Additionally, forward/center Jalen Smith is out with a calf injury, and like Williams, he is expected to be at least a week away from reconditioning. With these key players unavailable, the Bulls have had to make do with a makeshift frontcourt, including undersized 6-7 forward Guerschon Yabusele, who is currently playing the center position. The lack of size and depth in the frontcourt only adds to the Bulls’ ongoing struggles.

Looking for Defensive Improvement

While the Bulls’ offense continues to face significant challenges, Coach Donovan is also looking to improve the team’s defense. One player he has identified as having the potential to improve on that end of the floor is Collin Sexton. Although Sexton hasn’t been known for his defensive prowess in the past, Donovan believes that the ability is there for him to become a more effective defender as the season progresses.

“The skill is there,” Donovan said, referring to Sexton’s defensive potential. “It hasn’t been his reputation throughout his career, but he’s shown the ability to be a much better defender.”

Improving defensively is crucial for the Bulls, especially with their struggles to execute offensively. If they can at least shore up their defense, they may have a better chance of staying competitive in games despite their offensive deficiencies.

A Season of Adjustments

The 2026 season has been one of constant adjustment for the Chicago Bulls, and the challenges seem to be mounting. Between the loss of key players like Vucevic and the injuries to key frontcourt pieces, the team has been forced to adapt on the fly. Coach Donovan remains committed to playing an up-tempo style to take advantage of the team’s speed and athleticism, but the reality is that this is a team with significant gaps in size, experience, and depth.

While the Bulls continue to fight for competitive basketball, it’s clear that the front office, coaching staff, and players are all still trying to find the right formula. The team’s lack of cohesion and struggles with execution have made it difficult to compete at the highest level, but with the right adjustments, they could still improve as the season progresses.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for the Bulls

With their season in flux and so many variables in play, the Chicago Bulls are at a critical juncture. Coach Donovan’s philosophy of playing fast and leaning into the team’s strengths may help, but it’s clear that the team needs to address their depth, size, and overall cohesion. Whether through trades, improved player development, or better injury management, the Bulls must find a way to come together as a team if they want to turn their season around. For now, Donovan will continue to guide his team through the rough patches, but the front office must step up to provide the roster support that can make their coach’s philosophy work. The season is far from over, but the Bulls have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to return to playoff contention.