Josh Giddey continues to put up big offensive numbers for the Bulls. The biggest knock against him during his pro career is that he’s soft defensively and often gets exploited at that end of the floor. Head coach Billy Donovan sees more focus from Giddey to overcome that stigma, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
“[He’s] probably similar to [Bulls guard] Coby [White] early in his career — similar to where they were really targeting him,” Donovan said. “As a player, you have to shut off that running water where [opposing coaches eventually] say, ‘OK, there’s no reason to try and exploit this because it’s not there.’ That comes down to the personal pride of one-on-one guarding.
“I think [Giddey has] tried to do that. The one thing about Josh is the flexibility when we play against teams that are a little bigger — he can play against some of these bigger forwards, too. He’s pretty physical there. I do think Josh has tried to get better. I’ve noticed and seen growth from him from last November to the time now. He’s taken much more pride in that area.”
Giddey had 21 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Bulls snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating the Nuggets in Denver on Monday. It was the Nuggets’ first home loss this season.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- White isn’t playing in back-to-backs yet and is on a minutes limit, but Donovan is hopeful the medical staff will lift those restrictions after Thankgiving, Cowley reports. White sat out against Denver after he played 30 minutes — six more than planned — in a double overtime loss to Utah on Sunday. He’ll also play just one game in this weekend’s back-to-back set against Miami and Washington. “The first half [Sunday], I was pretty tired. I was a little winded,” said White, who had been sidelined by a calf strain. “Second half, I started getting my wind. My legs felt a little heavy, so that’s why some of my shots were short. Missed a lot of chippies around the rim, so that comes with timing.”
- Donovan is hopeful Zach Collins can return to practice next week when the team has three consecutive days off, per Cowley. Collins underwent wrist surgery last month. “Because he’s been in the splint, he’s lost a lot of mobility, flexibility and strength, so he’s got to get that back, so there will be a lot of things he’ll have to do in the weight room to get those back,” Donovan said. “I’m probably being a little eager and optimistic, but I’m hoping he can get into practice in one of those days where we can have a contact practice. . . . How long it will take to get his strength back to be able to go into a practice remains to be seen, but he can start doing things with his hand.”
- With White and Tre Jones sitting out, Jevon Carter posted 15 points in 18 minutes against the Nuggets. “This guy’s work ethic is unbelievable. He’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever seen,” Donovan said. Carter was grateful for the praise, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network relays (Twitter links). “That means a lot coming from a Hall of Fame coach. That’s my guy. I love Billy,” he said.
Anyone need Jevon Carter on their team? I was talking to my best friend about this yesterday.
Nobody in the entire National Basketball Association offered Jevon Carter a multi year deal along WITH a player option. That is we AKME did, for $6.8M.
Anyways, good start to the season, team is more enjoyable with pace and passing, defensively they have a ways to go but shipping out on the expiring deals should fetch us back some assets and try to get some defense next offseason. Still don’t believe in Donovan, but product looks more fun as a fan compared to the last 10 years of Ymca ball.
Carter provides a scoring bench option that I’m not sure Donovan is exploiting at all unless 3 guys are out. He’s just another scorer who doesn’t play defense so not sure why Donovan doesn’t like him. The obvious need has been and will be a big who can run and defend guys like Mobley, Giannis and more recently Lauri. I thought Markkanen was going to get 100 the other night. I think he could have. It’s really hard to watch in fact I turned that game off after the 3rd Qtr.
Yeah he kept diving to the cup off pick and rolls, and our defense was so slow to reach to it on Sunday in SLC. Agreed that we need a big who can protect the cup and run. Maybe see what the asking price is for Lively. Mavericks are going to blow it up soon so might as well ask what is the asking price for him. Would be astronomical I would assume.
Collins will help but his wrist will take building up, And besides they needed another guy anyway unless Collins comes back able to play 48 minutes. One of the great mysteries in NBA history as to why this is so hard to figure out.
I like Collins for this team actually, really good passer/screener, does the dirty work for this team in terms of boards and paint protection, his salary isn’t deserving of a backup but he’s better than most starting centers who hot dog it these days. Hope we resign him to a modest deal (2 year $9M) or something. Still need to address our front line athleticism and defense though.
What’s the offer for Claxton?
Coby, Dalen Terry and Portlands protected 1st round pick should bring it home I think. Unless you like Carter better.
I think it has to include Jalen Smith to make the $ work.
Foo- The Bulls are trying to ADD a big. It makes no sense to trade 1 and others to get one back. Hope this clears it up.
Understood. But Collins is coming back and I guess Olbrich and Essengue are waiting in the wings.
Then the deal would have to be White and Collins and the Portland pick for Clax and Haywood Highsmith. The $ matches.
Bulls get the rim protector they want who is signed for 3 yrs. And you still keep Vuc and Smith and the young players.
Not really sure what part of not trading a big to get a big isn’t sinking in but………………..
I think the point is that Clax is a different kind of big than Collins.
And let’s be honest, Collins is a spare part for the Bulls when they’ve got Clax, Vuc & Smith.
No it doesn’t, both teams are way under the cap. Clax makes $20M and this eye o guys are combined $18M.
Good lord I had a stroke, I meant to say this “other guys” lmao
Clax is $25M and Highsmith $5M. That lines up with Coby’s 12M and Collins 18M.
LMAO Shaq I gave you an offer last week buddy. Appreciate your opinions though on why you valued Clax on another message board.
What would you offer if you wanted Coby? ;-)
Yes, I don’t remember what it was. I think it was w/o Coby, but I wanted Coby iirc. 😆
I think it was Clax for Coby, Dalon Terry and Javon Carter plus a 2028 1st round top 10 protected pick.
If the Mavericks blow it up, why would they trade a 3rd year player and their second most promising player besides Cooper Flagg?
The problem with Lively is that he’s starting to look like one of those bigs that misses 30+ games a season.
Jokic and Gordon shot 2-12 from three, which sealed the loss. Great defense by the Bulls on the last possession though.