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Chicago Bulls: 3 lessons learned from the 2020-21 season

By Christopher Jeter

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 09: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during the second quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on May 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 09: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls smiles during the second quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on May 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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Thaddeus Young, Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls. Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images /

2. Thaddeus Young made a surprising leap for the Chicago Bulls

For 13 seasons, Thaddeus Young provided the five teams he has played for with solid, high-end-role-player-level production. In 2020-21, the journeyman forward became a vital part of this Bulls team.

How vital depends on which impact metric you use. RAPTOR (a team-leading 4.7) viewed Young as the most valuable member of the team, though much of that is due to RAPTOR’s unfavorable view of Zach LaVine’s defense. Other stats such as Box Plus/Minus (3.2), Estimated Plus/Minus (2.4), and LEBRON (0.91) weren’t as rosy on him, but they still recognized what he brings to the team on both sides of the floor.

Defensively, Young’s value varies, though it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. He shouldn’t be a team’s first (or second) choice as a rim protector (34th percentile in rim deterrence, per BBall Index [subscription required], 45th percentile in defensive FG percentage at the rim vs. expectation), and having him mark guards isn’t ideal, but RAPTOR, EPM, and BPM are more bullish on his D than LEBRON and Real Adjusted Plush/Minus, so the answer is likely somewhere in between.

His production on offense is easier to explain. After a weird 2019-20 where he shot the highest rate of 3’s in his career, Young got back to doing most of his damage in the paint this, and his return to form on the block (67.8 percent between 0-3 feet and 50.5 percent between 3-10 feet, both up from 60.1 and 41.3, respectively) was accompanied by his improvements as a playmaker.

Finishing the season with a career-high 27.1 assist rate and placing in the 83rd percentile in Box Creation and 79th percentile in scoring gravity (outpacing what he did in 2019-20), Young more than earned the “Thadgic Johnson” moniker that Bulls color analyst Stacey King bestowed upon him.

Of course, suggesting that Young is Magic Johnson errs heavily on the side of hyperbole. Still, it’s pretty neat seeing him make the defense pay for sending help.

Young’s work this past season could make him an intriguing trade chip, but most Bulls fans probably wouldn’t mind seeing him back in 2021-22.

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