Chicago Bulls: Factors That Could Bolster Playoff Hopes

Keep Rajon Rondo In Starting Lineup

The Bulls acquired Rajon Rondo to help fill the lead guard slot after they traded Derrick Rose during the offseason. After early positive returns, though, Rondo was benched for five-plus games following an outing against the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 30.

Although Rondo would eventually return to the rotation, Hoiberg tagged him as the lead point guard with the second unit. But with their playoff hopes all but on life support, Rondo was re-inserted into the starting lineup over the past two games, and the results have been nothing short of solid.

Against the Hornets, Rondo finished with a stat line of 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Not only that, he converted three of his six attempts from three-point range. It should also be mentioned that Chicago had four players score at least 20 points, while shooting 50 percent or better from the field.

To put this stat in its proper perspective, this had not happened since the quartet of Artis Gilmore, Reggie Theus, Larry Kenon and Ricky Sobers accomplished the feat back on Feb. 11, 1981, per the Chicago Tribune.

In the outing against Memphis, Rondo scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out six assists, while shooting 3-for-4 from distance. Even more important, the Bulls’ offense is averaging 103 points per contest and the team has been playing at a faster pace.

In other words, Rondo should remain in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season.