With All-Star weekend upon us, the NBA season has reached its halfway point. After a painfully silent trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls look to remain relevant as a low-tier playoff or play-in team. What keys are necessary for Chicago to maximize the rest of this season?
Four Keys to Success for Chicago Bulls’ Second Half of Season
Key #1: Continue to Unlock Ayo Dosunmu
Coby White isn’t the only Bull having a breakout season. Former second-round pick Ayo Dosunmu has sneakily improved on both ends of the ball this season.
In his last 10 games, the young guard has averaged 16.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. In one of those games against the Hawks, Dosunmu put up a career-high 29 points. He was impressively efficient, shooting 12-for-18 from the field and 5-for-7 from three. Dosunmu’s solid three-point efficiency has been a game-changer for the team, as they have struggled from behind the arc.
Defensively, Dosunmu is no slouch. In his career game against the Hawks, Dosunmu put up a steal and a block alongside his offensive explosion. While he isn’t the strongest or most athletic, his quickness and hustle make him a valuable player on both ends.
Dosunmu’s continued development is key for the Bulls to maximize this team’s versatility. Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, Dosunmu serves a significant role in Chicago’s schemes.
Ayo Dosunmu last night:
29 points
12-18 FG
5-7 3PT
7 assists
1 block
1 steal
& the WIN pic.twitter.com/HMuL0KesbW— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 13, 2024
Key #2: Play Vucevic and Drummond Together
Throughout the season, head coach Billy Donovan has teetered between rotations anchored by either Nikola Vučević or Andre Drummond at the center. However, the team has seen some success when the two are on the court together.
Vučević’s value is highlighted by his ability to stretch the floor as a big man with his elite pick-and-pop game. On the other end, Vučević isn’t the most reliable paint defender, especially against stronger bigs.
This is where Drummond comes in. The elite rebounder also provides more strength in the paint than Vučević. It also doesn’t hurt that Drummond is a double-double machine and can put up 10-13 points in the dunker spot regularly.
Starting these two together allows Chicago to maximize Vučević’s strengths rather than force him to predominantly occupy the paint. It also gives them the rebounding advantage on both ends with Drummond at the center. Having Vučević play more as a stretch four and Drummond in the paint could be the keys for Chicago to improving their weak frontcourt presence.
Key #3: Shorten the Lineup
The first half of the season saw some experimental rotations from Coach Donovan. Young, unproven players like Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips have had chances to show what they’re capable of. Recent veteran additions like Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter have a lot of expectations on their shoulders to fill in the gaps of the “star” players.
At this point, it would be wise for Coach Donovan to shorten his lineup down to just eight or nine players.
Carter was meant to be a three-point specialist for Chicago but has only put up a 33.7% clip from three. As far as the guards go on this team, Carter is toward the bottom defensively. Terry is like a black hole on offense, shooting 23.3% from three with no ability to create shots for himself or others. Phillips, a promising rookie, is just too raw right now to contribute to any sort of winning.
If Coach Donovan wants to maximize his lineups, reducing underperforming players’ minutes is key. Replace that playing time with more minutes from Dosunmu, Drummond, and Craig. Increase the workload for star players and emerging role players (they’re ready for it!). Let the best guys play!
Key #4: Give Coby the Keys
One of the best stories of the season! White has emerged as a real star player in the league this season. The 24-year-old guard over the last five games has averaged 23.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. In January and February, White put up four thirty-point games, including one against Cleveland where he shot over 60% from deep.
No one in the NBA has improved more over the last year than Coby White.
19.4 points (9.7 last year)
4.7 rebounds (2.6 last year)
5.2 assists (2.8 last year)
46% FG (44% last year)
40% threes (37% last year) pic.twitter.com/xjIQDXBLdP— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 7, 2024
DeMar DeRozan has been the go-to option since he arrived in Chicago. But now, with Zach LaVine out and DeRozan in the twilight of his career, it’s time to give the keys to this team’s offense. The offense flows much more freely with White at the helm as the primary playmaker and scorer. DeRozan has become more of a willing passer, but White’s ability to score at all three levels opens up his teammates even more.
The pick-and-roll game between White and Vučević, and puts the two in spots where they thrive. White and Dosunmu are two sides of the same coin offensively, both quick guards who shoot the ball well. But with the similarities, the two are still able to work in tandem well.
In Wednesday’s game against Cleveland, Chicago went to White for the game-tying shot. Although he missed, the play being drawn up for him rather than DeRozan was indicative of the shift that may be slowly starting to happen.
This final key may be the most significant of all for the Chicago Bulls. They’ve struck gold with White, who is just on the first year of a team-friendly three-year deal. The key not just for this season but for Chicago’s future could be this: make this Coby White’s team.
