Chicago Bulls: Why re-signing Daniel Theis must be an offseason priority

Why the Chicago Bulls must re-sign Daniel Theis: Underrated rebounder

It has been said that the final act of a good defensive possession is securing the rebound. Since joining the Bulls at the trade deadline, Daniel Theis has averaged 5.9 rebounds per contest in 25 minutes of action. While those are solid numbers, his impact on the defensive end is highlighted when his averages are put in proper context. 4.2 or his rebounds come on defense, meaning that when Thies is on the floor, second shot opportunities are greatly reduced for Chicago’s opponents.

At 6’8″ Daniel Theis is listed as a center. Not since the days of Wes Unseld and Dave Cowens have NBA centers been that height. However, what Theis lacks in height, he makes up for with a dedication to boxing out and his relentless pursuit of the ball. If a team loses the battle of the boards, they normally lose the game. Theis not only secures his fair share of rebounds, but he’s also responsible for many of the rebounds his teammates get while he is on the floor. His impact on this aspect of the game cannot be overstated.

When Billy Donovan was the head coach of the Florida Gators, the team won back-to-back national championships. His front line boasted three future NBA players in Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Al Horford. Needless to say, the Gators won the rebounding battle just about every night. Coach Donovan knows how important rebounds are to winning; Daniel Theis fits right into this philosophy.