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Chicago Bulls: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

By James D. Tillman III

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Denzel Valentine regressing from a year ago

When the Bulls took Denzel Valentine with the 14th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, he was considered to be one of the more versatile players at that time. In his senior season at Michigan State, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.8 assists and 7.5 rebounds per outing.

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Based on the numbers, he was expected to make an impact sooner rather than later, but that didn’t happen. Thanks in large part to injuries, Valentine averaged just 5.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest.

Even more to the point, in the six-game playoff series against the Celtics, he played just 5.8 minutes per contest, and even that number is skewed a bit due to the fact he played 16 minutes in the series finale.

Similar to his outings during the Summer League tournament last season, Valentine’s shooting numbers are still on the low side. In his five appearances, he shot 26-for-74 from the field, which nets out to a 35.1 percent shooting clip. His accuracy from distance is even worse, as he converted 26.3 percent of his attempts from three-point range.

Despite his inconsistent play, though, Valentine remains confident in his ability. From the way things look right now, he is certainly going to need it.

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