Chicago Bulls: Why All NBA Teams Should Fear an Aggressive Uptempo Bulls Offense

There is a certain stigma comes with up-tempo, fast-break offenses in the NBA.

The stigma is that a team that runs up and down the court simply cannot put an emphasis on defense and always has to resemble Doug Moe’s Denver Nuggets or the more contemporary Mike D’Antoni Phoenix Suns.

The Chicago Bulls proved last year and are again establishing this season that stigma not true.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau and Bulls fans alike should clamor for a quick-paced Bulls attack.

Last season, the Bulls were significantly more successful when they ran an up-tempo offense and if the 2011-12 thus far is any indication, NBA teams need to fear an aggressive, up-tempo Bulls offense.

First, it is worth clarifying the Bulls are nowhere near the most up-tempo offense in the NBA. That distinction goes to the Ty Lawson and the Denver Nuggets.

Last year, the Bulls ranked 22^nd in the league in PACE Factor (the number of possessions a team uses per game) at 92.9. This season the Bulls are faster at 93.7, but still rank 19^th in the NBA.

It is obvious from watching the Bulls that they are not always relying on the fast break but when they do, their win percentage reflects a positive trend.

For a defensive-minded team like the Bulls scoring 100 (and winning some Big Macs for the home crowd) makes them nearly unbeatable.

Last season, the Bulls were 25-5 when they scored over 100 points. That is good enough for a win percentage of .830.

For reference, the Bulls played .750 ball overall, showing an increase in win percentage when that 100-point mark was met.

The Bulls were 37-14 when scoring under 100, still great but very different from how dominant they were scoring in the 100s.

This season when scoring over 100, despite a small sample size, the Bulls are a perfect 3-0 and .667 (4-2) under 100.

It is hard to argue with the numbers and the success the Bulls derive with a high volume of points.

Statistics and scoring numbers aside, watching the Bulls in an up-tempo flow is a thing of beauty.

When the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and one of the NBA’s fastest players Derrick Rose is leading your offense, the benefit is obvious.

With an open court in front of him, Rose is unstoppable.

Defenders simply cannot square up on Rose, allowing him to have numerous options to score. Rose’s ability to finish near the basket numerous ways is just the icing on the cake.

It goes beyond Rose for the Bulls; the entire roster is built for the fast break.

Starting center Joakim Noah has the ability to start the break off the rebound, thanks to some of the best big man ball handling in the league and Luol Deng’s length, athleticism and outside shooting ability allow him to both kick-start or finish any fast break.

Moreover, breaks open the wings and corners for three point threats like Kyle Korver, CJ Watson and the emerging Ronnie Brewer.

NBA teams have to be scared of an up-tempo Bulls attack. As the record shows, the Bulls are nearly unbeatable when they are scoring a high volume of points.

Add up-tempo offense to an already awesome team defense and the Bulls are simply one of the league’s best squads and should strike fear in every team in the NBA.

Do not let the stigma of fast breaks degrading defense, it is simply not true in the Bulls case.

Up-tempo teams that can stay focused on defense are dangerous and if the Bulls play with that model, they will continue to be one of the NBA’s best.