Chicago Bulls: Five takeaways from the team’s first six games

2. Wendell Carter Jr. is clogging the paint with his shooting

A quick comparison: the first video will show how the Bulls want most of Wendell Carter Jr.’s 3-point attempts to end and the second will show how they actually end more often than not.

The disparate results notwithstanding, both clips illuminate an apparent indifference from opposing defenses when it comes to Carter’s outside shot. That lack of respect — and the inability to capitalize on it — make the Bulls easier to guard.

This was the case last year, too: BBall Index’s (subscription required) gravity metric ranked the former Duke Blue Devil’s per game magnetic pull from behind the arc at just the 13th percentile. This year, he has shot the three a bit more.

While the percentages aren’t something out of a Wes Craven film (33.3 percent), they aren’t good enough — and the sample size isn’t big enough — to force defenders to evacuate the paint when they Carter him loading up for a shot. The Bulls would probably be better off asking him to roll to the basket so he can create decent looks for the more consistent shooters on the team.

Hopefully, Carter will improve his shooting from long distance. Otherwise, his presence will make it harder for LaVine and others to find any clean looks near the rim.