Bulls hold team meeting after reportedly considering not showing up for practice

After the Chicago Bulls lost by 56 points at home on Saturday, new head coach Jim Boylen scheduled a practice for Sunday. However, players felt a team meeting was in order instead.

"I think we just all needed to get on the same page," said guard Zach LaVine, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. "We needed to get a lot off our chests."

Sources told Johnson that players started a group text debating whether to show up at the team's practice facility on Sunday. They ultimately did, reportedly telling the coaching staff that they wanted a players-only meeting - which later included the coaches.

According to Johnson, players aired their grievances to Boylen, who replaced the fired Fred Hoiberg last Monday. Since taking the reins, Boylen has instituted rigorous, two-and-a-half hour practices that include line drills.

During Saturday's blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, Boylen utilized a virtually unheard-of five-man substitution, and according to ESPN's Malika Andrews, benched his starters because he thought they'd be better served by a hard practice rather than exerting effort in a losing battle.

NBA teams rarely hold practices on the day following back-to-back games. The Bulls also played the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, their lone win in the last nine outings.

"We're still learning about each other," Boylen said, via Johnson. "I've moved over the 18 inches. They're still learning how I want it. There's been a little shock and awe here in the last seven days. And there's an adjustment to that. And that's OK."