The Chicago Bulls are grappling with rebounding challenges early in the NBA season, despite showing signs of improvement in certain areas. In Friday’s 125-111 loss to the Boston Celtics, the Bulls fell behind by double digits in the first quarter but managed to outscore Boston in the second half, partly due to relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds.
Head coach Tiago Splitter emphasized rebounding as a foundational aspect of the team’s identity heading into the season. While the Bulls rank 10th in the league for total rebounds per game, their rebounding percentages tell a more nuanced story. The team’s defensive rebounding rate is particularly concerning, sitting in the bottom third of the NBA by securing only 65.6% of available defensive boards through six games.
“The Bulls’ high rebound totals largely reflect the fast pace of their play, which generates more possessions,” Splitter explained. “We are making progress, but there is still room for improvement.”
Splitter singled out forward Tobe Awaka as the only player to fully meet his expectations for rebounding effort, praising Awaka’s consistent work to secure rebounds during his playing time. Wings Leonard Miller and Caleb Wilson have also shown promise in using their size and positioning advantage. However, the backcourt players, including guard Josh Giddey, have struggled to match their previous output. Giddey, who has been a strong rebounder in past seasons, is averaging three fewer rebounds per game this year, a decline that persists even when adjusted for playing time.
Giddey attributed part of the dip to a change in the team’s rebounding approach under Splitter, who requires all players, including guards, to box out opponents rather than focusing solely on chasing the ball. “I’m adjusting to a different rebounding scheme,” Giddey said. “Before, I was more aggressive hunting down rebounds. Now, there’s a greater emphasis on boxing out.”
Veteran guard Norman Powell underscored the importance of effort and fundamentals over schematic adjustments. “A lot of what’s happening is ball-watching instead of locating a body and then going after the ball,” Powell said. “It’s about effort, attention to detail, and competitiveness—things that can change immediately.”
The Bulls’ rebounding difficulties are unlikely to be fully resolved with the return of starting center Nic Claxton, who has missed the season due to a preseason hamstring injury. While Claxton is known as a rim protector, his rebounding numbers from last season with the Brooklyn Nets were modest, and his style of play does not necessarily align with the Bulls’ emphasis on consistent boxing out.
As the team continues its rebuilding process, management and players agree that rebounding must improve quickly due to its impact on momentum and defensive stability. “The timeline needs to be next game,” Powell stressed. “Effort is something that happens immediately. We can’t afford to wait.”