Chicago Bulls: 3 things Lonzo Ball brings to the Bulls
By Zane Harris
What Lonzo Ball brings the Chicago Bulls: 2. Defensive Improvements
Ball’s offense pales in comparison to his defense. He is a lockdown perimeter defender who has the potential of one day making an All-Defensive team. He averages 1.5 steals per game throughout his career.
His 6’9″ wingspan makes it very difficult for smaller guards to get around him. Along with this, he is strong enough to be a menace to guards in the paint.
However, because of his frame and IQ, Ball is a very versatile defender and can also shut down wing players. He has a career defensive rating of 110, which is two points lower than the Bulls’ team rating in the 2020-2021 season.
With LaVine being one of the weaker defenders in the league, Ball will be able to be a crutch to the team on the defensive end. It is likely he will spend most games guarding the opposing teams’ best guard or wing player while LaVine is able to coast on defense and focus on leading the Bulls’ offense.
The polar opposites in LaVine and Ball’s games make them one of the most intriguing backcourt pairings in the entire league going into the 2021-2022 season. They are perfect complements to each other and it looks as if they will be a duo the league will have to deal with for years to come.
It is likely that he will be the defensive anchor for the Bulls this season and he will hope to elevate them from their 11th rank they achieved this year.