The Bulls revamped their roster over the offseason, but Nikola Vučević will still be a focal point of the team’s new high-octane offense, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
Vučević had a game-high 18 field goal attempts in the Bulls’ blowout preseason victory (121-85) over the Pelicans Friday night. New teammates Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and DeMar DeRozan are all finding the All-Star center in good positions to score.
“With all the guys I have around me now,” Vučević said, “I have so many opportunities to score: trail 3s, drive-and-kick, off pick-and-pops, on rolls and dump-offs. We have so many guys who are good on the ball and that are willing passers, as a big man, it’s a luxury to have. We just have to get used to each other and build that chemistry, and I think it’ll be great for everybody.”
On a team with three 20-plus points per game scorers (Vučević, DeRozan, and Zach LaVine averaged a combined 72.4 PPG last season), Vučević knows he might not be the primary option every night, but his looks should be easier to convert, and he’s perfectly fine with that, per Mayberry.
“It will come easier to me because we have so much talent out there that it’s harder for defenses to take stuff away. When we do a two-man game, any type of actions, it’s going to open up a lot for everybody. For me, the same. I think it will be easier to get touches in better spots,” Vucevic said.
Here’s more from the Windy City:
- Ball was unfazed when facing his former team last night, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. Ball’s laid-back demeanor has served him well when faced with the near-constant rumor mill that has followed his career, Cowley notes. “I always have rumors circling around me all year,” Ball said. “So, I mean, it’s been the same for me the last four years. I’m just happy to be here.”
- In the same piece, Cowley says that Caruso continues to praise former Lakers teammate LeBron James. “I owe a lot to [James] for where I am today. Obviously, I put a lot of work in, but he makes me look good. He makes the team look good. When you win, everybody gets paid, everybody gets to do a job. Being part of his legacy and being a part of that team for the last couple of years was fun for me,” Caruso said.
- Cowley also relays that Patrick Williams, the fourth pick of the 2020 NBA draft, hasn’t recovered yet from his ankle sprain, but if he’s able to start practicing by next weekend, Cowley thinks there’s a good chance he’ll be ready for opening night at Detroit.
- Coach Billy Donovan appreciated his time working with veterans Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, and Thaddeus Young, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “You talk to these veteran guys like Garrett and Thad and Sato and the word that always comes out of their mouth is ‘We. We’ve got to do this better.’ A lot of times, players say, ‘I.’ They were always ‘We,’” Donovan said. “I just admire that not only did they take care of themselves, they took care of the group.”
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Seeing how Donovan has used his rotation in his time with the Bulls, its baffling how this is the same guy who coached in OKC, where he was Scott Brooks 2.0
That being said, I’m curious to see how DeRozan fits as a wing/4 in that starting lineup, depending on when Williams comes back, and how it effects 1 of Derrick Jones jr or Troy Brown in their rotation
When Williams comes back, they will have a starting lineup averaging 95 per game…the rotation may include Brown and Jones, but may not as the key to the second team will be defense + catch and shoots from Coby White. DeRozan will spend some time with that unit as a 3, some time as a 4, and maybe some as 2. He is a very versatile player and so far his role has been as a cutter, a facilitator and catching passes off the fast break. Ball has made a world of difference to the offense, and Donovan has indicated since they don’t have any true bigs they will emphasize crafty defense. That has been on display as the number of steals and blocks has skyrocketed with this roster compared to last year. This team looks a lot more like the Thibodeau era teams, but with one exception – they have offensive firepower. Watch out, if they stay healthy they could be a sleeper. Cannot wait to see how they fare against tier 1 teams in the beginning of the regular season.
Very interested to see how this plays out. I don’t think here is going to be much middle ground. I think it either really works or it really doesn’t.
Who are Bulls starting PF?
Derrick Jones is 6″4″
Patrick Williams is 6″6″
PG
Ball and White
Wings
DeRozan, LaVine, Caruso
Who shuts down Giannis, Lopez and Portis
Bobby is 6’10”
As for your last question, I haven’t seen anyone in the league who can guard Giannis. Lopez is on Social security. As for Portis, My moms 83 and I’m pretty sure she could guard him, You forget, He was here first.
Simonovic is 6-11. Tony Bradley is 6-11 also I think. Javonte Green has been eating up bigs so far but at 6-3 not a steady diet. Plus somebody surprising will be cut and end up here I would think. Vujevic can play 4 if need be. Bulls picked up some other C but haven’t seen much of him yet. The TEAM defense has been awesome so far. Huge improvement.
Vucevic is got to be one of the most underrated players in the league, the guy is a beast, more games than not he is just simply unstoppable!
“Unstoppable” is a big stretch, but dude is definitely underrated and he’s extremely durable. I can see him have more all star appearances now that he’s with the bulls.
I’ve really loved what Ive seen from the Bulls so far this pre-season, obviously with all the small sample size caveats and whatnot.
Still though, even while missing starting PF Patrick Williams and their 6th man and sparkplug off the bench Colby White, this Bulls squad has been a TON of fun to watch!!
Yes, their bench as a whole lacks scoring threats, especially without a possible 6th man of the year candidate in Colby White, even still their bench mob is full of a bunch of versatile, athletic defenders that really get after you and play with a ton of energy.
With a rotation of LaVine, Vucevic, Ball, Derozan, Williams, Caruso, Colby White, Tony Bradley, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Troy Brown, and either Alize Johnson, Stanley Johnson, or Marko Simonovic this Bulls team FINALLY will have some quality depth..
Personally, I didn’t know who the Bull’s backup PF would be going into the season, but Alize Johnson has really shown ke something thus far. That man is a rebounding MACHINE!!
Also, let me give some props and a shout out to Javonte Green!! That dude has heart and a ton of guts!! He’s been battling down low amongst the trees and coming away with some big blocks at just 6’2″!!
If Donovan can find the right rotations and balance with Ball, Patrick Williams, Caruso, Bradley, Green, Brown, Jones Jr. and Alize all being solid to excellent defenders this team WILL surprise some people.
Don’t get me wrong, Colby White can be an excellent scorer and primary option off the bench, but he is just nowhere in the same category as a passer nor is he the facilitator that Lonzo Ball is. Ball’s court vision and passing abilities COMPLETELY changes this offense s’ ceiling, and with him also being able to hit threes more efficiently as a catch and shooting option, he doesn’t always have to have the ball either.
Last year, they really only had White trying to learn PG, LaVine trying to play hero ball, and Arciadono trying to initiate the offense as well. This year, the Bulls will have Ball, Caruso, LaVine, Derozan, Vucevic, and then they’ll also have White back in Nov. too…
The article says they’ll have THREE 20PPG players in their lineup. All in all, the Bulls could end up having Ball, LaVine, Vucevic, Derozan, White, Patrick Williams, and Caruso ALL averaging at least 12-13 per game. However, with that said, it wouldn’t surprise me if 4 of the 7 went for 20 any given game.
Coby, Coby, Coby, COBY!!! Get it right.
Coby White, Kobe Bryant, and Koby Altman should get together and decide on a spelling or even a rhyme.
Bulls will have a good year. If they share the Ball. Ball needs to be the PG we all thought he would be. When Magic drafted him #2 overall. Vucevic and DeRozan as the vets should probably lead team. But LaVine and Ball are probably the most important. For real success. Should be a fun year for Bulls fans.