The Bulls are 2-1 after the first three games of the regular season after coming up short against the Detroit Pistons in overtime on Friday night. So far, these Bulls have played relatively well, considering the players are still learning the ins and outs of head coach Fred Hoiberg’s complex offensive system. It will probably take about the first 20-30 games of the regular season for the Bulls to really develop the chemistry, continuity, and identity that Hoiberg hopes to establish. Having said that, the Bulls defeated LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a tight game in Chicago and then followed that performance with an impressive beat down of the Nets in Brooklyn.
Nikola Mirotic, 44, and Doug McDermott, 3, have been huge benefactors of Fred Hoiberg’s offense. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta – USA TODAY Sports.
To start the season, Nikola Mirotic has been a revelation. According to basketball-reference.com, Mirotic has averages of 19.7 ppg, 8 rpg, and has shot 51.4% from the field, including 50% from three through the first three games. These statistics are major improvements from last season in which he averaged only 10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and shot 41% from the field with 31.6% from three. Additionally, Mirotic averages 1.7 steals per game, something that should not go unnoticed.
Granted that he played under limited minutes last season, he displayed flashes of his offensive savvy, but with inconsistency. The month of March in 2015 was his best stretch of basketball last season because that was when he played the most minutes due to injuries to others in the frontcourt. Mirotic has proved that he can produce with ample playing time. Many said that Mirotic would be one of the main benefactors of Hoiberg’s system, but how many predicted that he would be averaging close to 20 points per game to start the season? Hoiberg has made Mirotic a point of emphasis on offense due to his ability to beat slower power forwards off the dribble and to shoot from long range, and I mean from way downtown, proving that he is worthy of being called “Three-kola.” Although his defense is occasionally questionable, his offense has been key for the Bulls’ relatively early success, and will only get better as the players become more familiar with the offensive schemes.
While each player on the Bulls has demonstrated his ability to score the basketball, the Bulls as a team has turned the ball over too many times. Through the first three games, Chicago averages 17.7 turnovers per game, according to basketball-reference.com. This is not too concerning since the players are still learning Hoiberg’s offense and it is early in the season, but winning the turnover battle is so important for winning games. The offense has demonstrated its emphasis on ball movement, which was especially evident in the win over the Nets with each starter and Aaron Brooks coming off the bench scoring in double digits. Additionally, there has been a willingness to make the extra pass for the open shot. This offense is dynamic and has the potential to put up over 100 points on a consistent basis, but the Bulls must take better care of the basketball.
On the other side of the ball, Chicago does not seem like it has not totally forgotten Tom Thibodeau’s defensive principles. According to basketball-reference.com, Chicago has given up 97.7 ppg through three games, which is a good start after playing offensively capable teams in Cleveland and Detroit. It was the Bulls’ defense that preserved their win against the Cavs with Pau Gasol’s game-saving block on LeBron and James and Jimmy Butler’s deflection and swat of the ball to the other end of the court as time expired. Even though the Bulls lost to the Pistons, it held Detroit to only 37.5% shooting from the field and gave up less than 100 points that included an overtime period. The defense has not taken a dive as some have worried about, but the hope is that the Bulls can improve its offense from last season while maintaining the relatively domineering defense for which it has been known for the past five seasons.
It is very early in the 82 game regular season, but the Bulls have demonstrated the ability to play both sides of the ball. The players will score more from an individual standpoint, as Mirotic and Doug McDermott have both benefitted the most from Hoiberg’s system, but the team has to shore up the turnovers, which I believe will soon decrease as the season progresses. It’s been a good start to the season.