3 Keys to getting the Chicago Bulls back on track after a disappointing start
Chicago Bulls: Spacing and ball movement
In the modern NBA, getting great looks at the basket is more important than ever before. The easiest way to achieve this is to have great offensive spacing and high IQ players who understand the concepts of making great passes along with timely cuts to the basket. Teams like the 2017 Golden State Warriors and the 1986 Boston Celtics may have been loaded with Hall of Fame players, but the beauty of their play was not their talent; it was their ball movement.
To say that this year’s Chicago Bulls rely too heavily on isolation basketball would be a gross understatement. While DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are both elite scorers, they are not as effective as they could be without a facilitator on the court with them. This is where the team misses Lonzo Ball’s presence the most.
Ball was a pass-first player who could make sure his teammates got the ball in scoring position while staying within the flow of the offense. The Bulls are still looking for a player who will fill this void.
Ayo Dosunmu has been receiving Ball’s minutes, and while he certainly has a bright future in the NBA, he is not a true point guard. The Bulls’ top two leaders in assists are currently DeMar DeRozan at 4.2 assists per game and Zach LaVine at 4.1. As a team, they are averaging 24.2 assists per contest, which ranks 18th in the league.
The team must find a facilitator within the organization or make a trade for a pass-first point guard before the trade deadline. Otherwise, their chances of making the playoffs will decrease, and the odds of them advancing past the first round will be slim to none.
The Chicago Bulls have the luxury of having three All-Stars on their roster, in addition to several exciting young prospects. However, the first 13 games of this season have not produced the results their fanbase was hoping for. The good news is that there is still plenty of basketball to be played and ample time for the team to right the ship.
Next. Bulls: 3 players who will decide how far they go. dark
If the team spaces the floor, passes the ball, and recommits to rebounding, their talent level will lead to victory more times than not. The Bulls have a roster that is capable of making a return to the postseason. Whether or not they do so will come down to their willingness to make the necessary adjustments.