Vinny and his coaches losing control?

Two players spoke to the media on Thursday and both were asked about the players' attitude toward the coaching staff.

“Of course we do,” Luol Deng said. “We respect them. We just all have to be on the same page. I just don’t feel we’re all on one page in terms of injuries and guys coming back and guys not knowing what’s going on. We have to do a better job.”

Derrick Rose was next and he's obviously experiencing his first NBA season, but answered the respect question without hesitation. Actually, it was a series of three questions.

Q: Where is your confidence level and support for staff?
“It’s real high,” Rose said. “I trust in them. They trust in me. I think it’s alright right now.”

Q: Do you listen to coaches?
“Of course. I know a lot of us do. The people who are not, coaches are trying to get to them and talk to them and have meetings with them.

Q: Are you saying some players don’t listen?
“I’m talking about during the games, like, following game plans. I’m not saying players are being rebellious or doing it their way. It’s just miscommunication on the court.”

I think what Rose meant was guys who are having trouble learning the plays (there are surely a few) are getting extra help from the coaching staff. So he probably took the question a little differently than it meant. But that hardly matters. Few players would ever admit to not respecting their coaches.

The Raptors' rout came two days after Bulls general manager John Paxson said the team's defense must improve and after two days of practice. The Raptors shot 56.6 percent for the game.

''It was miscommunication,'' Derrick Rose said of the Bulls' defensive breakdowns. ''Yelling 'switch,' and we didn't switch. Stuff like that.''

jbiggs wrote:im worried that the players will rebel and demand his firing