Hoops Habit
Fansided

Chicago Bulls: Why Ownership Should Consider A Rebuild

By James D. Tillman III

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Bulls bench reacts to a call during the first half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Bulls bench reacts to a call during the first half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Lack Of Depth

Jimmy Butler is having another breakout season, averaging a career-best 24.5 points to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest. Wade — who is in his 14th NBA season — is also having a productive season, with averages of 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

So despite their glaring weaknesses in other areas, the Bulls do have a formidable one-two punch.

The problem is the supporting cast, or lack thereof.

Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls /

Chicago Bulls

Sure, Robin Lopez (9.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per outing) and Taj Gibson (11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest) effectively play their positions, but neither player is a guy the Bulls can go to for a game-changing bucket in a close game.

Furthermore, the bench hasn’t come close to living up to expectations. Although Doug McDermott is averaging a career-high 9.9 points per contest, he hasn’t taken the leap from a defensive standpoint.

Meanwhile, Mirotic — who was supposed the fill the team’s need at the stretch-4 spot —  isn’t shooting the ball at an efficient clip.

In fact his 9.0 points per contest on 38 percent shooting overall and 30 percent from beyond the arc are all career-lows for the third-year forward.

To further illustrate how ineffective the second unit has been up to this point, we need to look no further than Paul Zipser — who was the 48th overall pick by the Bulls in the 2016 NBA draft — is now the first guy off the bench.

The fact that Hoiberg is giving more playing time to a rookie he used sparingly during the first two months of the season speaks volumes to the fact that Chicago’s recent first-round selections are not making the cut.

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