Several Chicago Bulls have had different levels of success through four preseason games, but none has celebrated more improvement from last season than one young point guard. While Coby White has lit up the scoreboard, he’s shown those abilities in the past, scoring 20 or more in three games last season alone. Fellow youngster Ayo Dosunmu has gone under the radar for many but put up awe-inspiring numbers in the early stages of 2023. Last night’s game against the Toronto Raptors was no exception, and although he missed a late heave to take the lead with under 30 seconds remaining, he put up another impressive outing for Chicago. Where does he fit in the lineup, and is there any way he can sneak into the starting five?
Becoming A Gadget Player
Early on in 2023, Dosunmu is coming closer to embodying the all-around player that the Bulls had hoped Patrick Williams would become. Averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 assists, three rebounds, and only 1.3 turnovers per game, his ability to impact several areas of the game has taken a significant leap since 2022. A season ago, he averaged 8.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 turnovers per contest, starting in 51 of his 80 games. He was the go-to option to fill in at any point guard, shooting guard, or even small forward spot during Chicago’s season-long injury struggles.
Dosunmu is finding his way into the rotation via undeniable tenacity, visible improvement in his offensive and defensive skills, and confidence in scoring leveling up. He’s shooting 50% from the field through four preseason games, including 36% from deep, a leap from his 31.2% mark from three-point range a season ago.
Upping The Ante
Last season, Dosunmu was playing for his future in Chicago. After coming back on a team-friendly deal, he’s now playing for a starting job in the NBA. While he has started a quiet 58% of his career 157 games, his role has often been diminished to the bench. Averaging only 26 minutes per game across his young Bulls tenure, this year might see a slight bump in court time, given the early boost in production. With White all but securing the starting gig, his leash will be short with a hungry and more well-rounded Dosunmu in the second unit. His size, defense, and rebounding have become undeniable in 2023, and with a starting lineup oozing with scoring ability, the demand for more intangibles may call sooner than later alongside the big three.
The attention to team-oriented detail from the former Illini kid from Chicago is promising to watch. The aggressiveness offensively to attack the rim has noticeably allowed for surrounding shooters to have open looks from three-point range, something any lineup will need for the Bulls. Ranking last in the league the previous two seasons in three-point attempts, any effort to create opportunities for three-point attempts will be welcomed and encouraged by Donovan’s game plan.
Can Ayo Dosunmu nudge his way into the starting lineup at some point this season? The third season for the 23-year-old point guard is already looking like one of the most exciting prospects of recent years for the Chicago Bulls. The fourth and final preseason game is tomorrow night in the United Center, where Dosunmu will try to plead his case one more time before the regular season begins.
