Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has observed significant growth in his young players as the 2024-25 NBA season progresses.
Early in the season, questions swirled about the team’s consistency, identity, and the development of its younger players. Fast forward to now, and things are beginning to click, with Donovan praising the evolution both on and off the court.
One key area of focus for Donovan has been the development of a professional mindset among the Bulls’ young talent. In a recent interview, Donovan highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of growth: learning how to take care of their bodies. As per NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Donovan emphasized that for young players, the greatest asset they have is their body.
“Young players often think they’re invincible, not understanding how to take care of their bodies,” Donovan said. “They have to learn how to stay healthy and recover properly to maximize their careers.”
The Bulls’ medical and performance staff have been crucial in this developmental process. Beyond on-court drills, a big part of the growth for younger players has been learning proper hydration, sleep, nutrition, and recovery routines. These behind-the-scenes efforts are just as vital as scoring or making assists.
“There’s an educational piece that goes on by the medical staff, by our people in terms of hydration, eating, sleeping and resting, and how to handle back-to-backs,” Donovan explained. “These guys have never really gone through that before.”
This unfamiliarity often leads to the infamous “rookie wall,” where physical and mental exhaustion can start to impact performance. Donovan acknowledged that every team faces injuries and fatigue, but he believes it’s ultimately the mental approach that determines success.
“Everybody’s banged up, but it’s about mentality,” Donovan said. “It’s not about saying, ‘I don’t feel good tonight.’ It’s about pushing through that and being ready to perform.”
Donovan’s message to his players has always been clear: mental toughness is as important as physical preparation. “If you’re able to put the uniform on and step across the lines, it’s about mentality,” he said. “It can’t be, ‘I don’t think I’m going to play well tonight because my body doesn’t feel great.’ You have to be ready to perform even when you don’t feel 100%.”
As the Bulls continue to battle through the 2024-25 season, this mentality shift could prove crucial. With young players like Patrick Williams, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Matas Buzelis already showing flashes of promise, it will be the next stage of their development that could determine the future of the franchise.
Donovan emphasized that understanding how to maintain themselves both physically and mentally will be the key to taking their games to the next level.
“For all the younger players, they have to learn how to take care of themselves a little bit better,” Donovan said. “That’s the next step in their evolution.”
While the team sits at 37-43 with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, the growth of the younger players remains one of the biggest takeaways of the season. Donovan’s focus on developing not just their skills but also their approach to the game could be the foundation for future success for the Chicago Bulls.
