The Chicago Bulls are only two days into training camp, but Tiago Splitter’s fingerprints are already all over the operation. The new head coach keeps steering the conversation back to one thing: defense. And from the sound of it, that’s not just a talking point - it’s the identity he wants this group to wear.
“You always want to start with the defense,” Splitter said on Wednesday. “Be more aggressive, up the line, be disruptive, trying to dictate what they're going to do, not react to what the other team is going to do. I think today was really, really good in that regard.”
That message has landed. Matas Buzelis said the Bulls are working on blowing up screens and matching up higher on the floor, with the addition of Nic Claxton giving them more room to attack that way. The idea is clear: use size, versatility, and youth to make life miserable on the defensive end.
There’s still a long way to go before that becomes a finished product, especially with so many inexperienced players in the mix. But the early tone around camp suggests the Bulls are embracing the challenge. Buzelis said the first two days have already stood out to him.
“The competitiveness the first day was outstanding. I think that's the probably the best training camp day I've been a part of, and today was better,” Buzelis said.
That same edge showed up in Caleb Wilson’s first taste of NBA camp. After his first day, the rookie described the setting in terms that fit right in with what Splitter is trying to build.
“Really competitive, honestly. One thing that I can only compare it to is college practice, and we were really intense out there.
A lot of communication. It was really physical out there,” Wilson said.
“Also, we had guys diving on the ground for loose balls. I feel like that's just a really good sign to see, and it's just a culture-setter for throughout the year.
The Bulls have also clearly been getting after it in five-on-five work, and that kind of live action is helping set the tone fast. Around the gym, the energy sounds less like a camp easing in and more like a group trying to prove something from day one.
One player who seems to be making the right kind of impression is Isaac Okoro. Splitter was effusive about the former Cavaliers forward and made it plain that he expects him to be a major part of what Chicago does this season.
“He is a guy that is going to play a lot for us,” Splitter said. “He is probably our best perimeter defender, so he's definitely going to play a lot of minutes for us and help us win basketball game ...
He's relentless. He's strong.
He fights screens. He stays in front of people.
He does everything. He just has that bulky body that can spin around the defense and get stuff done,” Splitter said.
A starting job still looks unlikely for Okoro, with Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Nic Claxton appearing set there. But a reserve role could suit him well, especially if the Bulls want him locked in as a defensive specialist.
Noa Essengue is another name drawing positive attention after a rough start to his return from shoulder surgery. The second-year forward looked lost during his Summer League run, and Splitter even benched him for poor play. This camp, though, has brought a different response.
“I really like the first few days of Noa," Splitter said. "He’s being more aggressive.
He’s fighting every possession. Fighting, rebounding, protecting the rim.
He’s practicing well.”
Splitter said Essengue is making a case for himself.
“I think he’s fighting for a spot, right? He wants to play for us, which is great," Splitter said.
"I like his ambition. He’s getting stronger.
He’s shooting the ball better … I think the effort in the last two days is really what matters now. This Summer we had a lot of open gyms.
It’s a different vibe, it’s a little more relaxed. But now he’s really following what we ask him.”
For a Bulls team trying to define itself quickly, those are exactly the kinds of comments that matter. The defense is the foundation, the competition is real, and the young players are being pushed hard right away.
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