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The Bernstein Brief: Does Thibodeau's Message Still Resonate?

By Dan Bernstein-
CBSChicago.com senior columnist

(CBS) With his team reeling, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is reacting in signature style.

Six losses in eight games capped by last night's sleepwalk in Cleveland have Thibodeau hitting all the expected notes as he fumed to reporters about their glaring weaknesses.

From this team's first day, Thibodeau has been preaching his usual gospel of multiple-effort responsibilities on every possession, as he has with every group he's been given. The problem is that this one doesn't seem to be listening at the moment, from the stars to the scrubs.

It's the opponents instead with multiple efforts leading to extra chances, pushing tempo and finding too-easy baskets against a flat-footed, confused defense. It looks all wrong and entirely out of character. Proud relentlessness has turned into anesthesia, and no perfunctory recognition of their problems in postgame comments seems to be snapping them out of it.

Thibodeau wants harder work, and more practice.

That has always been his message. Does it still resonate?

Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter  @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.

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