Cordaro Johnson (Haize) here, the host of the daily Locked On Bulls podcast, with your daily Locked On Bulls newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bulls and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Chicago Bulls: Analyzing the Impact of Starters and Slow Starts
Sep 30, 2024; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0), forward Patrick Williams (44) and Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) pose during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images|Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Have you ever wondered why the Chicago Bulls struggle with slow starts despite having a talented roster? In a recent episode of Locked on Bulls, I explored this intriguing topic, diving into the performance of the Bulls’ starting lineup and the potential solutions to their early-game woes.
The Role of the Starting Lineup
In our latest podcast episode, we took a closer look at the impact of the Bulls’ starters, focusing on advanced analytics to understand their contributions. The starting lineup, featuring players like Josh Giddey and Coby White, has shown both promise and areas of concern. Giddey, for instance, is shooting a career-high from three-point range and is a strong rebounder, yet the team struggles with a negative point differential when he’s on the court. This suggests that while Giddey is performing well individually, the lineup around him might not be optimized to leverage his strengths.
Sep 30, 2024; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) poses during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Coby White’s Offensive Surge
Coby White has been a standout performer, boasting a positive point differential and significantly boosting the team’s scoring when he’s on the court. His offensive prowess is evident, with career-best shooting percentages and a high impact on the team’s scoring efficiency. However, this offensive boost comes at a defensive cost, as the Bulls allow more points when White is playing. This imbalance highlights the need for a more cohesive strategy that maximizes offensive output without compromising defense.
Sep 30, 2024; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Zach LaVine’s Defensive Evolution
Zach LaVine, traditionally known for his offensive skills, is quietly having one of his best defensive seasons. Despite his efficient scoring, the team’s offensive metrics don’t fully reflect his contributions. Interestingly, LaVine’s defensive impact is more pronounced, with opponents scoring less when he’s on the court. This shift in LaVine’s game underscores the importance of evaluating players beyond traditional scoring metrics.
The Defensive Anchor: Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic has been a reliable presence for the Bulls, contributing both offensively and defensively. While his scoring efficiency is commendable, his defensive impact is where he truly shines. The team performs better defensively with Vucevic on the court, indicating his role as a stabilizing force in the lineup. However, the overall negative point differential suggests that the team needs to find better ways to integrate his skills into a winning formula.
Addressing the Slow Starts
The Bulls’ slow starts have been a recurring issue, often putting them at a disadvantage early in games. The data suggests that a better balance between offense and defense in the starting lineup could be key to overcoming this challenge. One potential solution is incorporating more defensive-minded players like Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu into the starting rotation. Dosunmu, in particular, has shown a positive impact in various lineups, suggesting that his inclusion could help stabilize the team’s early-game performance.
Call to Action
As we continue to analyze the Bulls’ performance, it’s clear that adjustments are needed to address their slow starts. I encourage you to consider how these insights might apply to your own understanding of team dynamics and performance. Whether you’re a coach, player, or fan, finding the right balance between offense and defense is crucial for success.
For a more in-depth discussion on the Bulls’ strategies and potential solutions, be sure to listen to the full episode of Locked on Bulls. We delve deeper into the analytics and explore how the team can optimize their lineup for better results. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Bulls’ current challenges and the steps they can take to improve.
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Zach LaVine’s injury news has concerned fans as the Chicago Bulls face depth challenges against the Mavericks. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Josh Giddey makes an honest statement about the Bulls’ performance after their game against the Jazz, highlighting areas for improvement. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bulls podcasts.
Chicago Bulls Cut Onuralp Bitim & Kenny Lofton Jr | Is THT A Lock To Make Roster? Haize welcomes Bobby & C-Dub to the show to discuss the Bulls moving closer to finalizing their roster by cutting Onuralp Bitim & Kenny Lofton Jr. The guys also break down what they want to see in the Bulls’ final preseason game & more.
Lonzo Ball Looks Great In Return To To The Court | Bulls Offense Has Best Game Yet Haize reacts to Lonzo Ball’s performance in his first game back. He also talks about Coby White’s big night and the team’s offense.
Chicago Bulls Reportedly Eyeing Contract Extension WIth Josh Giddey Haize reacts to reports the Bulls could be looking to extend Josh Giddey’s contract before the start of the season. He also asks of the Chicago Bulls should be playing their starters in tonight’s preseason game and gets excited over Lonzo Ball’s return to the court.
