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McCaffrey: Following Thibodeau's Lead, Bulls Get Their Edge Back

By Brendan McCaffrey-

(CBS) Energy, effort, work.

For one night at least, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau's message reached his team as the Bulls stifled the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 104-81, at United Center on Thursday. The defense that built Thibodeau's reputation returned, holding the Spurs to a season-low 81 points on 37 percent shooting from the field.

Thibodeau asks for no shortcuts, and he got none as the Bulls snapped a three-game home losing streak despite playing without starters Joakim Noah and Mike Dunleavy yet again.

"We played a lot harder, I thought the intensity was really good for us," Thibodeau said. "Obviously, it was a much better effort than our previous game (in Cleveland)."

Since that Cleveland loss Monday night, a couple off-the-floor stories began circulating about Thibodeau and his team. Originally, Thibodeau had called for a Tuesday practice, but he canceled it in lieu of holding a meeting to discuss the team's recent play. The annoyed Thibodeau addressed that meeting after Thursday's game.

"Contrary to what you may have heard, we called the practice and then we changed our mind on the practice," Thibodeau said. "What our meeting was about was about what had transpired in the game against Cleveland and then what we had in front of us, and then solutions to how we could play better.

"That was the first step, and then the practice (Wednesday). But I don't know, you guys gotta check with your sources, because they're inaccurate."

Also on Monday, a report from Chris Sheridan surfaced detailed how sources close to the Bulls thought Thibodeau had lost his locker room.  When asked Thursday night if that report had bothered his team, the laser-focused Thibodeau responded in typical style.

"I couldn't care less, and I don't think our team (could) care less about that stuff," Thibodeau said. "We just gotta lock in to what we have to do. Work. It's really that simple. Come in every day, do your job, put everything you have into it. If you're injured, put your work into your rehab. If you're not, put your work into the team. That's all we have to do."

Energy. Effort. Work. Three words never far from Tom Thibodeau's lips.

The Bulls finally responded with that mantra Thursday, winning the first of three games in four days and frustrating Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

"I thought the Bulls were physically and mentally committed to playing a great game, and I thought our play was humiliating and embarrassing, Popovich said.

Popovich even added his two cents on Thibodeau's job status, exasperated that a reporter would even question Thibodeau's grasp on the Bulls.

"Well, whoever asked me that question before the game, about (the Bulls) not listening to Thibs and Thibs has lost them and that kind of bulls***, you got your answer," Popovich said.

Spoken like a true coach, one who watched his team dismantled by superior effort and energy. But can the Bulls build off this win with 10 games left before the All-Star break?

"The big thing was that yesterday's practice was really a good practice," Thibodeau said. "I thought having everyone in practice, practicing hard, set the tone for this (win).

"You go step by step. Now, the challenge is to continue to do it. I thought the concentration level was much better and the effort was much better."

Brendan McCaffrey is the sports director at 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @b_mccaffrey.

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