The Chicago Bulls capped a 3-1 preseason Tuesday, enjoying 4 video games that supplied a glimpse on the common season.
Preseason outcomes all the time must be consumed with a grain of salt: Billy Donovan began a special lineup in each sport, and key opponents reminiscent of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić didn’t play.
However the preseason nonetheless supplied a take a look at what’s working — and what isn’t — for the Bulls. Listed below are six issues we discovered from the preseason.
1. Ayo Dosunmu will begin at level guard
After Dosunmu began all 4 preseason video games, Billy Donovan’s reply on whether or not the Morgan Park and Illinois product gained the purpose guard spot was pretty set: “Mainly, sure.”
Dosunmu, 22, is about to fill in for Lonzo Ball till the purpose guard returns from a lingering left knee harm. Dosunmu averaged 10.3 factors, 3.3 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists in preseason, going 6-for-11 on 3-pointers.
Whereas Dosunmu was dependable on the place final season, he struggled with the bodily and psychological rookie wall within the closing month. His predominant duties shall be enhancing confidence in making on-ball selections and sustaining his tempo by means of the season.
2. Patrick Williams’ Bulls future remains to be unsure
The preseason solely threw extra doubt concerning the function of the third-year energy ahead, who continues to wrestle asserting himself.
Javonte Inexperienced made a robust bid to usurp Williams’ place within the beginning lineup after stepping in at energy ahead final season. Inexperienced brings a special ability set to the place, however his capacity to protect bigger gamers and crush dunks in transition and within the paint stands out in opposition to Williams’ timidity.
Williams, 21, used the ultimate preseason sport to indicate that he can match Inexperienced’s rim aggression, throwing down three thunderous dunks. However he hasn’t been capable of muster the identical vitality when factored in to the beginning lineup with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
3. Zach LaVine is wholesome — however not himself
LaVine spent the summer time recovering from arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee, which restricted his typical summer time coaching — particularly five-on-five scrimmages.
The layoff was seen in LaVine’s consolation all through the preseason. Though he seemed extra assured than he did within the closing half of final season, LaVine’s resolution making with the ball lacked its typical precision. He turned the ball over 10 occasions whereas registering solely 9 assists in three video games earlier than sitting out the ultimate preseason sport.
This seemingly was a results of needing to comb away cobwebs with a couple of scrimmages, however LaVine’s passing shall be a key element for the Bulls offense — particularly with out Ball. The faster LaVine can regain consolation, the higher the Bulls shall be for it.
4. Nikola Vučević seems to be comfy
The middle didn’t share the identical discomfort as LaVine within the preseason, enjoying all 4 video games and voicing his confidence in his health. Vučević struggled final season when the Bulls turned overly reliant on his nook 3-point taking pictures. The preseason confirmed the Bulls are desperate to work Vučević into the publish for extra alternatives along with his again to the basket.
Vučević made seven 3-pointers on 50% taking pictures and fared simply as nicely within the paint, the place he shot 68% in averaging 14.8 factors and 9.5 rebounds. The elevated exercise within the paint additionally arrange the middle to attach with LaVine and Dosunmu within the two-man sport and facilitate more practical ball motion backward and forward.
Failing to search out the appropriate function for Vučević was a key detractor final season. If the Bulls have discovered an efficient groove, the middle may take a step up.
5. Rookie Dalen Terry will push for minutes
Donovan entered the preseason ready for Terry to take a gradual entry into the NBA. However after exhibiting out within the preseason, the 20-year-old rookie has proved he’s able to push for as many minutes as potential.
Terry’s work on his taking pictures over the summer time was evident — he averaged 6.5 factors on 55% taking pictures — however he particularly excelled in helping teammates and pushing a sooner tempo in transition. He didn’t seem to overlook a beat in opposition to the elevated pace and ability of the NBA, significantly on the defensive finish.
Though he seemingly will stay a deep rotational participant, Terry did sufficient within the preseason to earn minutes with the primary staff a lot sooner.
6. The Bulls nonetheless can push the tempo with out Lonzo Ball
One of many greatest questions for the Bulls to start out the season is how you can keep a quick tempo in transition with out Ball, who usually equipped the staff with highlight-worthy, full-court passes to spark breakaways.
However the Bulls showcased a capability to complement this tempo even with out Ball. Alex Caruso and Goran Dragić are succesful guards in transition, and Terry added to the quick tempo as nicely. However even bigs reminiscent of Vučević and Andre Drummond had been actively pushing the tempo within the closing three preseason video games.
If the Bulls can maintain this, they’ll be higher match to copy the up-tempo offense that served them nicely at the beginning of final season.
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