After the first four games of the season, the Chicago Bulls find themselves at an even 2-2. While this is an average start to the Bulls’ season, the team and all factors surrounding it look less than promising.
Bulls Off to a Rocky Start to the Season
Chicago’s first four games have been the NBA equivalent of a roller coaster. The Bulls fell victim to an opening night slugfest against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points. In Game 2, Alex Caruso sunk a game-winning three in OT against the Toronto Raptors. Game 3 saw a career-high 51 points from Zach Lavine in a frustrating loss to the young Detroit Pistons. The Bulls then bounced back in Game 4 in a solid win against Tyrese Haliburton‘s Indiana Pacers.
Again, two wins and two losses isn’t an awful start to the Bulls’ season. Much better than 1-3 or 0-4, right? Well, the issue here is less about the record and more about the incredibly rocky team chemistry on and off the court.
Bulls Hold Players-Only Meeting After Game 1
After the crippling 20-point loss to the young Thunder team in Game 1, tensions were high in the Bulls locker room. Coach Billy Donovan apparently walked into the locker room postgame to intense conversations between the players. He then asked if he should leave them to it, and the players confirmed in response. Donovan later attempted to put a positive twist on it, saying that embracing conflict was the key to this team’s success. However, for all those looking from the outside in, it’s evident what was really taking place: unhappy players in an unhappy system.
Higher Volume, Lower Efficiency
One of Donovan’s offseason keys for his team was an increased volume of three-pointers. After four games, the Bulls have increased their three-point attempts from last season, but are shooting at a below-average clip. The team has exhibited poor efficiency overall, just 40% from the field and 28% from behind the arc. Lavine, specifically, has been the most egregious forerunner of this. In three of four games, Lavine put FG lines of 4-16, 3-14, and 6-17. The outlier was his 51-point performance, where he shot 19-33.
Lavine is not the only one at fault, however. Even DeMar DeRozan, Chicago’s incumbent #1 option, hasn’t had a great start to his season, perhaps showing the effects of age at last.
Nikola Vucevic Uninvolved and Unhappy
The big man in Chicago’s big three, Nikola Vucevic, has begun the season as an afterthought on this offense. In Game 1 against the Thunder, the center was barely involved in the offense. It seemed as if Donovan forgot that he had a reliable, efficient big man that he could run plays through. Vucevic saw few touches and only attempted eight shots the entire game as the supposed third option in an unstable offense.
During the game, Vucevic and Donovan were seen arguing on the sideline as the ball was in play. Both were clearly frustrated at the other and later, Vucevic was asked by reporters about his frustration:
Again, apparently embracing conflict is Donovan’s key to the team’s success. Maybe he should confront his players publicly more, perhaps?
Young Guns Disappoint
Another underwhelming factor at the start of the season has been the lackluster production from Chicago’s young players.
After an impressive preseason, Coby White has landed the starting spot in all four games so far. The young guard hasn’t quite delivered the same production, however, averaging just nine points on below-average efficiency. The hope was for White to fill the team’s needs at point, but his playmaking ability hasn’t been enough to help run this offense effectively.
Dalen Terry, whom the Bulls took 18th overall in last year’s draft, was sent to the G-League last week after playing less than 5 minutes total this season so far. Donovan hopes that Terry’s increased reps in the G-League will translate to improved performance as he returns.
Possibly the biggest disappoint has been former #4-overall pick, Patrick Williams, who still looks like a raw prospect despite being in his fourth year. Williams has started every game but Donovan has kept his minutes to just over 20 per game. His lack of aggression on-court has resulted in missed shot opportunities and wobbly offensive movement. After not receiving an extension this offseason, it was reported that Williams was looking for a hefty $100-million+ contract. From what we’ve seen of him to start the season, the possibility of that contract is getting less and less plausible.
The Bulls’ current circumstances aren’t very favorable, but it is still just the start to the season and there are many games left to go. Chicago hopes to shake off the early season jitters and sharpen up their play as the season progresses.
