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Chicago Bulls: 5 Takeaways From Disappointing 2015-16 Season

By James D. Tillman III

Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) goes up for a shot during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls won 121-116. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) goes up for a shot during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls won 121-116. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) points at forward Doug McDermott (3) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win in overtime 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) points at forward Doug McDermott (3) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win in overtime 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Offense Never Took Flight

With the Golden State Warriors setting the standard for how a team should execute its offense, one of Hoiberg’s priorities was to implement his version of pace and space to help inject some life into a Bulls offense that had become somewhat predictable. What were the results?

A mixed bag at best. Under Thibodeau, the Bulls never ranked higher than 15th in points scored per game. This season, they ranked 21st in this category with 101.6 points per contest.

Last season, the Bulls posted an offensive rating of 107.5 points per 100 possessions, good enough for the 11th best mark in the league. In 2015-16, that number dipped to 105 points per 100 possessions, placing them at No. 23 in this category.

The one area the Bulls did show a noticeable improvement was pace. After finishing 23rd in this category with 92.8 possessions per 48 minutes a year ago, the Bulls finished at 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes this season, placing them at No. 15, per Basketball Reference.com.

The bad news is the heralded offense that Hoiberg ran during his five-year tenure at Iowa State never materialized in his first season in Chicago. The good news is the organization is expected to make changes to the roster in an attempt to provide Hoiberg with necessary players that will help his up-tempo offense become a reality.

Next: Defensive Regression

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