After a dream weekend for Chicago fans, one has to wonder; it can’t be as simple as adding Patrick Beverley, right? Well, his signing may have exposed all of the issues the Bulls have experienced this season, wrapped up in one 11-year veteran point guard. His defensive intensity, vocal and aggressive leadership style, constant sense of urgency and pride, and facilitating abilities are proving to solve nearly every puzzle the Bulls have been faced with solving this year. While it is just a two-game sample against sub-par opponents, Chicago’s faithful have not experienced this level of energy or excitement arguably the entire 2022-23′ campaign. What exactly has happened in the Windy City over the past week?
Zach LaVine’s Return To Stardom
Amid one of the most challenging seasons of Zach LaVine’s career and one of his worst in a Bulls’ uniform, the last two games have shown a different player than the first 59 games of the season. While occasional fireworks shows were sprinkled throughout the season, the deadly sniper and explosive at-the-rim version of LaVine had been missing for nearly all year until Friday night. Not all blame can be cast on his back. He’s been forced into more of a playmaking role without a true point guard, which has driven his scoring efficiency down and his turnovers up. Combining his struggles on the court with the never-ending trade murmurs, the reported tension between him and head coach Billy Donovan, and the scrutiny for playing poorly immediately following a max contract extension, it’s safe to say he’s had a season full of obstacles.
Upon the arrival of Patrick Beverley and a week-long All-Star break for a team that had lost a season-high six straight games, there was a tone change within the organization. DeRozan and Vucevic called each of their 23 remaining games “a game seven,” a “must-win,” and a “now or never” level of urgency. Beverley has only echoed that mindset since joining. He also had some specific words for the struggling LaVine that have apparently resonated with the two-time All-Star.
Seeing that LaVine is averaging a team-high 29.5 points since, on a blistering 23-of-35 from the field shooting clip, including 6-for-10 from deep, clearly he took Beverley’s words to heart. His assists and turnovers are slightly down over these two games, which is precisely what Bulls fans want and need. He was signed as an elite scorer, and as proven by this weekend, with a suitable point guard, he can thrive in that role. Given that the Bulls’ average margin of victory this weekend was 32 points per win, this is the formula to be applied for the remaining 21 games of the season.
Too Good To Be True?
The Bulls’ two-game sample size is not enough to put a ton of stock in but it should be taken more seriously than one would think. They shot a combined 20-for-56 from three-point land or 35% in their two victories, which would rank 17th in the NBA. The 28-threes per-game average also ranks dead last in the league and is not a great sign for the future. While they have solved most issues, they’ll need to consistently take and make more of them in a league driven by three-point shooting if they want the success to stick around.
For the good, Zach LaVine is back to an All-NBA scoring level, Vucevic continues to average a double-double, DeRozan is back to full strength, and their team defense has reached a new level of elite in the new year. Not to mention, in the final 21 games, they’re faced with the 19th weakest ‘Strength of Schedule’ league-wide and the 2nd weakest in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
If Zach LaVine can remain within his ‘elite scoring’ role, DeRozan can stay healthy and continue to be the ‘King of the Fourth’, and the defensive intensity remains high, there’s no telling where this team can go. With one of the most potent defensive backcourts in the NBA now in Beverley and Caruso, Chicago can suffocate opposing guards and eliminate second-chance opportunities.
If this weekend was any indication of the rest of the season, it’s time to hop back on the bandwagon and rally the Bulls to a postseason berth. Three of their next four contests are against sub-.500 Eastern Conference teams, leaving the door wide open for a surge into a playoff picture that they currently sit .5 games out of.
How far can Patrick Beverley and his influence take this seemingly re-born Bulls squad?
Seems Beverley is a better coach than Donovan.