Knowing more lows than highs at the start of the season, the Bulls are looking for solutions to really take off. Last night, for example, for the trip to defending champion Golden State, Billy Donovan decided to change his usual starting five.
Ayo Dosunmu – Zach LaVine – DeMar DeRozan – Pat Williams – Nikola Vucevic. Of the 22 games Chicago has played this season, that five has been fielded 16 times. But not this Friday once morest the Warriors.
The youngsters Dosunmu et Williamssophomore and third-year player respectively, were effectively not lined up alongside the LaVine–DMDR–Vucevic trio. In their place ? Alex Caruso and Javonte Green, two more experienced players and perhaps better suited, in Billy Donovan’s eyes, to rival Golden State’s fearsome starting five early in the game. Compete, the Bulls did well during the first quarter (35-33 for the tape to Stephen Curry), before seeing the Warriors gradually widen the gap until the big run of the Bulls in the last quarter, which unfortunately was not enough for Chicago (119-111 defeat).
#Bulls‘ new starting lineup of Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Green and Vucevic had played 1 minute together entering tonight.
They’re -3 in first 5+ minutes once morest Warriors’ starting 5, which has best total plus/minus of any 5-man group in the entire NBA.
Bulls are 2-6 on FTs too.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) December 3, 2022
After the meeting, Billy Donovan explained his decisions, indicating that he especially wanted “see what this new lineup might give”. It is true that the Bulls are still looking for each other with their disappointing record of 9 wins for 13 losses, marked by big successes like once morest Boston or Milwaukee but also by really not glorious defeats once morest Oklahoma City or Orlando. However, there are also specific reasons, especially concerning the fourth choice of the 2020 Draft Pat Williams.
“One of the things we’re trying to do is make him more aggressive. The fact that he is on the field with three very good offensive players like Zach (LaVine), DeMar (DeRozan) and Vooch (Nikola Vucevic) sometimes limits his opportunities. I told him that I wanted to see him more aggressive, that we needed someone to give this group a boost. I think it can help his development. »
– Billy Donovan, via NBC Sports Chicago
Often responsible in defense, Pat Williams continues to be discreet on the other side of the field. And yet it’s not the confidence that’s lacking. Can this new role off the bench, although less prestigious, help him to let go a little more? We ask to see, Williams having finished with 7 points at 3/9 shooting yesterday in 19 minutes.
In any case, if we are to believe the words of friend Billy Donovan, nothing seems set in stone when it comes to rotations. The Taurus coach said he was satisfied with the contribution of these two youngsters to the second unit (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists for Dosunmu at 4/4 shooting in 21 minutes yesterday) and maybe they will regain their place of titu in the future.
But in the meantime, Ayo and Pat will have to accept their new role.
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Source texte : NBC Sports Chicago
