Two games later, we have a better understanding of the game. Bulls.
They lost to Washington 102-100 on Friday to fall to 1-1. This was a surprising result for a season-opening tour that took place in a way not expected. Chicago won a major victory at the Eastern Conference powerhouse MiamiBefore losing in the last seconds of the WizardsOnly when a game-winning 3-point attempt is made by DeMar DeRozanThe rim was bounced just before expiration.
Maybe it’s a glimpse into what the Bulls will be all about this season, stubbornly defying odds one night and competing but giving up gains the next. The Bulls will lift the United Center curtain Saturday in their home opener. Cleveland, they’ll go in with plenty to build on.
Zach LaVineBulls coach Billy Donovan announced that LaVine will be joining the lineup for the home opener. After arthroscopic knee surgery in July, LaVine rested his right knee during the contests. LaVine will add instant offense to the Bulls’ attack assuming his knee is trouble-free. One week ago, that wasn’t in question. LaVine stated that he felt great going into the season, despite being held back in the first two games. His performance — how he moves on the court and whether he looks like himself — in his first handful of games will be worth watching.
The Bulls have had a great start to the season, thanks to many others. DeRozan scored 32 on Friday night, just two nights after opening the season with 37 points. He shot 11-for-23 from Friday. Six rebounds and six assists were his contributions, making the opponent pay for his passing. He will continue to do this all season, and his teammates will reward him by finishing plays. The Bulls will have an offensive that is more functional and sustainable. DeRozan made 10 of 11 free throws in his 22 games. He’s not only getting to his preferred spots for his preferred shots with consistency but also applying constant pressure with drives and midrange pump fakes that dupe defenders into making contact. The value of getting teams into foul trouble is that it creates easy points at free throw line and, more importantly, it allows the Bulls set up their defense. DeRozan has been a force within the flow.
Through two games, DeMar averages 34.5 points. pic.twitter.com/9pXKl2TzaH
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 22, 2022
The big man is, however. Nikola Vučević, took DeRozan’s free throw title Friday. Vučević went 12-for-12 from the foul line, a career high in attempts and only the second time in Bulls history a center went perfect on at least a dozen free throws. Artis Gilmore scored 14 points on December 10, 1977, according The Elias Sports Bureau. The Bulls started Friday’s game by dumping the ball into Vučević and attacking Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis repeatedly. Vučević finished with 24 points on only 5-for-14 shooting, but he repeatedly made strong, decisive moves and made up for a tough shooting night at the foul line. He had eight rebounds, one assist and has played a significant role in keeping the Bulls competitive since LaVine’s departure.
Ayo Dosunmu, Coby white, Goran Dragić Andre DrummondAlso, they are doing well. Dosunmu, the fill-in starter has run the team smoothly. Lonzo Ball. His quickness and aggressiveness on the basket makes him an attractive transition option. White, Dragić and Drummond have combined to give the Bulls a sturdy bench unit. Donovan used a nine-man rotation for the first two games. Javonte GreenTo fill out the rotation. Dragić has played so well that he’s been relied on in closing lineups in the first two games. Green was kicked out of the opening game. Dragić got the nod Friday over Green and Williams, who needs to show more on both ends after compiling 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting with three rebounds, zero assists and two turnovers in his first 52 minutes. Kyle KuzmaWilliams lost to Williams on Friday.
But White’s shooting and secondary playmaking have been impactful in keeping the Bulls hanging around when the starters sit. His ballhandling, which was his main focus in the offseason, seemed tighter against Wizards. White made many quick-hitting transition moves. Watch out for Donovan’s use of White with LaVine taking up 35 more minutes. Will Donovan be able to play a 10-man rotation, as he claimed he would? Or will someone have to sit?
The Bulls have also shown character early on, even if it makes you squint your eyes. From the moment Donovan arrived, he’s had to toughen his players mentally. There were times in Donovan’s debut season when the Bulls would get smoked in the opening minutes and roll over. Donovan would look dumbfounded and tell his players and media that the majority of NBA games are played within a 20 point window. This means that a team could be 10 points behind one minute, and 10 ahead the next. In those days, the Bulls never took the initial blow.
On a flurry of Heat 3s, the Bulls were nine points behind Miami. The Bulls didn’t break. They won the middle two quarters by 15 points and at one point opened a 15-point lead — a 24-point swing. After the Heat regrouped, cutting Chicago’s lead down to four within six minutes, the Bulls did all they could to win.
Two nights later, they came within inches from improbably starting the season 2-0 with DeRozan’s final flick of his wrist. They were able to overcome some of the Wizards’ erratic defenses in the first half and some tough shots. The Wizards shot 53 percent in the first and third quarters, respectively, thanks to the Bulls. They were still there, somehow, with DeRozan getting a great look at a winning shot in the last seconds.
The Bulls have been giving themselves opportunities to win so far.
“It’s never going to be an easy-sailing season,” Dosunmu said this week. “It’s always going to be ups and downs. So I’m very excited to see how we respond to that. Because as a collective team, we’ve been doing a lot of outings together. We’ve been really trying to get closer so that when we do have those tough times or those moments when we have to come together, we will do so.”
(Photo by DeMar DeRozan / Tommy Gilligan / USA Today
