The Chicago Bulls really have high hopes that the addition of All-Star power forward Pau Gasol will make the team even better on the defensive end for the coming campaign next season.
Gasol, who signed a three-year, $22 million deal with the Bulls last summer, believed he’s going to have a terrific season defensively thanks to the system that has been implemented by head coach Tom Thibodeau.
"I've always been more of an offensive-minded player," Gasol said in an interview with KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "But my shot blocking I think always has been a little under the radar. With this defense, I'm going to be in the paint a lot protecting the rim.”
“I think I'm going to have a pretty good season defensively. This group of guys covers so much ground. There's a lot of length and athleticism and activity. That makes it easier for everyone."
Thibodeau has turned the Bulls into an impeccable defensive team since he arrived in Windy City four years ago. His system has transformed Joachim Noah and Jimmy Butler into outstanding defensive players, and he has no doubt that Gasol will be even greater under his tutelage.
"He can do better," Tom Thibodeau said of Gasol. "He has done well, but I think he can be great. That's what I want him to be. He has great length. He has great timing. He's smart. He can anticipate. He's still not communicating as well as he's capable of, but he has done well thus far."
Averaging 1.6 blocks in his career, the 34-year old Gasol have shown so far in the preseason games that he can be a big factor on the defensive end alongside Noah. However, the Spaniard stressed that he’s still trying to learn other facets of the system.
"This system is all based on activity and intensity," Gasol added. "Just picking up that fact and then what's going to make our defense great is working together and communicating. That's what we're trying to build."
