Paxson: Bulls 'Have To Accept The Responsibility Of The Playoffs'
This season, Derrick Rose has stolen the majority of headlines surrounding the Chicago Bulls, and rightfully so. The Bulls' third-year point guard is the odds on favorite to win the league's MVP award.
But for the Bulls to end their season the way they want, they'll need more then just a big contribution from Rose.
"When you're in the playoffs, you need the other guys to step up," John Paxson, former Bull and current VP of Basketball Operations, said on the Mully and Hanley Show. "We've had great success this year, not only with Derrick's greatness, but being a team."
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The Bulls' bench has has earned the nickname the "Bench Mob," for the energy and competitiveness they bring to the court. And they'll need to continue contributing in the same way, although their minutes might be reduced.
"Our bench has won us a ton of games," Paxson said. "Luol Deng, who doesn't get talked about nearly enough, has had a terrific year. So other guys are going to have to accept the responsibility of the playoffs, they're going to have to accept their role and if they do that, then we have a chance of success. If we don't, then we have a chance of losing, and ending the season on a sour note."
The Bulls will square off agaisnt the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bulls were 3-1 against the Pacers this season. Their 115-108 loss to the Pacers in overtime was the only game the Bulls lost in the Central Division this season.
