The shorthanded Bulls have a three-game losing streak for the first time this season, but rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu has emerged as a bright spot, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Making his third start, Dosunmu posted his first career double-double Saturday night with 21 points and 10 assists in a narrow loss to the Celtics.
Dosunmu made nine of 10 shots from the field, committed just one turnover and harassed Jayson Tatum into a poor shooting game. His outstanding performance came one night after going scoreless in 32 minutes against the Warriors.
“Coming from college to the NBA, there’s a lot of adjustments that I knew I had to make,” Dosunmu said. “And I knew that one of the adjustments was going from night to night and understanding that it’s a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. And it’s so many games that you can’t get too high and never get too low. That was my challenge. (Friday), I had a tough night. I didn’t play to my standards. But I knew we had another chance today to get better. So I just wanted to come out there and try to establish that mentality.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Saturday’s game also featured a surprising contribution from hardship addition Malcolm Hill, notes Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. Hill, who signed with the team on Friday, played 18 minutes and was on the court as the game was being decided in the closing minutes. He shot just 1-of-5 from the field, but made enough plays to impress coach Billy Donovan. “He’s been here for a day-and-a-half,” Donovan said, “and he did a good job defensively.”
- In a separate story, Schaefer identifies three potential trades to fix the hole at power forward created by the loss of Patrick Williams, Javonte Green and Derrick Jones. Jerami Grant of the Pistons might be an option, Schaefer states, but only if Chicago is willing to part with Williams. Schaefer sees Grant as an ideal fit with the starting lineup and points out that he has prior experience with Donovan in Oklahoma City and executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas in Denver. The Kings‘ Harrison Barnes and the Clippers‘ Nicolas Batum may also be options, according to Schaefer.
- Chicago guard Alex Caruso, who is the only Bulls player currently in health and safety protocols, isn’t expected to return until Wednesday, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
If you’re the Bulls I think you gotta go all-ins this year no?
Yeah. I know they dont wanna trade williams but they should go all in.
They should use Williams as a centerpiece for John Collins. Hes under control for a 4 more seasons
Say Williams White Brown and some 1st round picks to round out the deal.
I think it’d be a horrible idea. We would get half a season with the dude. I get people hate the fact that Williams doesn’t shine when it comes to the box score. But with our team? He’s a great fit. A 4 who can knock down open 3’s, play hard defense, switch on to guards, and will never complain about getting more shots?
That’s a guy every playoff team wants. That’s what he provides if he never gets better. But he also has unlimited potential.
Collins isn’t a good defender, will cry if he doesn’t get enough shots, and is going to want $20 million a year when we need to resign Zach. I would much rather keep Patrick, get what we can in the buyout market, or if we have to trade Coby while his value is at an all time high. Neither Collins or Jeremy Grant will be okay with being our 3rd or 4th option. Let PWill serve as our PJ Tucker as he grows into himself on a rookie contract nonetheless.
Collins is already under contract for 4 more years. He reupped this offseason. I think it’s like 25 per.
That post is way out of date 444. PW proved to be a terrible 4 BTW; his better stats were while playing the 3, where there will always be a Derozan ahead of him at the Bull’s current level.
Bulls have become a contender; no need for the dreamer’s stance of not to long ago.
6’4 players now playing Small forward . Midget ball . Maybe in couple years they will be playing center and all you need to do to be in the NBA is shoot a 3 point shot . Garbage basketball
Well said Luke 207!
Small ball is only for teams that don’t have the talent to play proper hoops, you can do that for fun for a bit, but… is becoming ridiculous right now!
This is a sport meant to be dominated by giants not midgets, right?
Are you just now realizing this?
I know right can’t be dealing with these sub 6’5” midgets like Charles Barkley(confirmed by himself)and Michael Jordan(confirmed by the Olympic medical). Joke, height isn’t all the game is. I agree the game seems to be shrinking but saying someone a little shorted can’t hoop is just wrong.
Test
Bulls want to take Thad back?
I have to admit, this obsessive campaign to trade Patrick Williams perplexes me.
“We’ve suffered a rash of injuries at the PF spot and need a replacement for what we expected PW to give us during the first year of this surprising opening to a championship-level window, which was defensive versatility and 8-10 PPG. We should trade PW plus other useful assets to acquire (insert PF trade asset here).”
“Is he going to be a better fit than PW when he returns from injury when the playoffs begin?”
“No, but he scores even more points.”
“But he gives them all the other stuff they were expecting from PW when the season began, right?”
“Not really, but he can handle more of the scoring load.”
“So you really want (insert PF trade target here) to take an increased portion of the shot share away from DDR and Zach?”
“Well, no, but we need a PF for the playoffs.”
“Isn’t PW expected to be back for the playoffs?”
“Yes, but it might take time to reintegrate him into the rotation.”
“If this is a championship-caliber team, wouldn’t the first round of the playoffs against a drastically inferior opponent be the perfect time to do this?”
“Probably. But we need a replacement now.”
“Why?”
“So he can contribute in the playoffs.”
(Sighs)