Chicago Bulls Players Winning Minutes with Their Preseason Performance
For some Chicago Bulls players, preseason is basically a warm-up for the regular season. For others, it’s a chance to impress the coaching staff and earn playing time.
Jimmy Butler, who’s currently out with a sprained thumb, won’t have to worry about playing time once he returns. The fourth-year swingman will see the court a lot this year due to being one of the game’s top perimeter defenders. A season ago, he played 38.7 minutes per game, tying Carmelo Anthony for the league’s highest average.
Stars Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol will surely get their share of minutes. You can add role players Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy and Kirk Hinrich to the list as well. Their track records speak for themselves.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau will need nine or 10 players for his regular-season rotation. Who could earn the final spots based on their preseason performances?
Aaron Brooks
After a fantastic summer league, Tony Snell was expected to play a valuable role this year behind Butler at shooting guard. But so far, it appears he’s the odd man out.
Snell’s minutes have been taken by newcomer Aaron Brooks, who’s backing up Rose at the point. This allows Hinrich to slide over to the shooting guard spot.
Brooks has put together a couple of solid performances, although he isn’t shooting the ball well (33.3 percent overall).
Against the Detroit Pistons, he came up with 18 points, three assists and three steals while shooting 3-of-6 from downtown. And in 15 minutes versus the Charlotte Hornets, Brooks contributed 13 points, three assists and a pair of three-pointers.
If you’ve followed the Bulls over the past few years, you’re aware that scoring backup point guards have flourished in Thibodeau’s system. Nate Robinson and D.J. Augustin—now with the Denver Nuggets and Pistons, respectively—are perfect examples. Brooks could very well be the next guy.
CSNChicago.com’s Mark Schanowski believes Thibodeau trusts his new reserve floor general:
"It’s pretty obvious Thibodeau is high on Brooks, who has always been able to score in his six NBA seasons, including averaging 19.6 points per game for the Rockets in 2009-10. Brooks gives the Bulls another quick point guard who can break down defenses off the dribble. That will allow the offense to maintain the same kind of pace when Rose is out of the game. Brooks has been too quick at times in jacking up 3-point shots during the preseason, but given the Bulls’ offensive challenges at times, it appears Thibodeau is willing to live with his shoot-first mentality.
"
Brooks will likely be a part of the rotation throughout the regular season. He can provide instant offense and serves as an insurance policy in case Rose goes down with another injury.
Nikola Mirotic
Known for his shooting ability, Nikola Mirotic has made a few nice defensive plays during the preseason. He has recorded at least two steals in four of his seven contests. Plus, he impressively blocked three shots against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Mirotic’s 11 steals lead the Bulls, and he’s tied with Butler for third on the team in blocks with six.
Following the Bucks game, Sam Smith of NBA.com compared Mirotic to Bobby Jones: "Mirotic, who was hesitant and uncertain with his shot, was quick defensively, also with three blocks and adding a pair of steals. Advertised as the next Bob McAdoo, this game he was more like the next Bobby Jones."
For all you young NBA fans out there, Bob McAdoo was the original “stretch 4,” and Bobby Jones served as a defensive specialist back in the day.
While Mirotic has a long way to go until he’s considered a great defender, Thibodeau must be pleased with his effort on that end of the floor. Playing D is the best way to make Thibs’ rotation. Everybody knows that.
The highlight of Mirotic’s preseason, though, was his debut against the Washington Wizards. Looking like a young Dirk Nowitzki, the 6’10” big man scored 17 points and hit five of his nine field-goal attempts (3-of-5 from beyond the arc).
His 12 points and four steals versus the Denver Nuggets weren't too shabby either.
Mirotic has shown the ability to run the floor, shoot, put the ball on the floor and play defense. Barring injury, he won’t be a major part of the rotation this year, but he’ll receive spot minutes depending on the matchup.
Doug McDermott
We go from one highly touted rookie to another.
Doug McDermott will definitely get minutes this season. The Bulls didn’t trade away two first-round picks for his services to have him become a Brian Scalabrine-like cheerleader.
An elite shooter during his time at Creighton, McDermott hasn’t seen his shot fall consistently in the preseason. He’s shooting just 37.5 percent overall and 33.3 percent from deep.
Fortunately, he is more than just a shooter. Starting in place of an injured Mike Dunleavy, McDermott showcased his all-around skills against Milwaukee, recording seven points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block.
It’s a good thing he isn’t a one-trick pony. Even if you’re Ray Allen or Steph Curry, there will be days when your shot won’t find the bottom of the net.
His jumper looked great versus Denver, though, as he shot 5-of-8 from the field and finished with a preseason-high 16 points.
Averaging 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds a night, McDermott has been one of the Bulls’ top reserves so far. Perhaps he’ll replace Dunleavy as a starter within the first few months of the regular season.
All stats are from Basketball-Reference.com.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
