Chicago Bulls Rookies: The Preseason of Nikola Mirotic
By Ronald Agers
When I joined the staff of Pippen Ain’t Easy, in some ways I saw myself as a Chicago Bulls rookie. I saw a very difficult challenge ahead of me. At the time the Bulls had lost Derrick Rose to a knee injury…again. They were below .500. Joakim Noah was suffering from sore feet from dealing with Plantar Fasciitis. The Bulls were rumored to be in tank mode.
How much of a challenge did I think I was facing? Former Editor of Pippen Ain’t Easy wrote a piece on what a great addition D.J. Augustin was for the team. Back then I thought she had lost her mind. He wasn’t even in the NBA at the time and he was TERRIBLE in his last two stops in Indiana and Toronto. It took a week for me just to figure out a way to write just to make them entertaining.
Then something funny started to happen. First, Joakim Noah started to round into shape. Then the Bulls had a favorable schedule and started winning streaks and most importantly NBA teams slept on Augustin just as much as I did which helped D.J. get his confidence back. The Chicago Bulls became the feel good story of the NBA.
Then the Luol Deng trade happened.
In an obvious salary dump deal that moved long time Chicago Bull and Tom Thibodeau favorite, Luol Deng to Cleveland for Andrew Bynum, the name that I started hearing to justify the trade was Nikola Mirotic.
For weeks after this trade every time I heard his name, I would ask the same thing…who?
Outside of the Bulls front office and a few others, no one had seen this guy discounting YouTube clips. I got lucky enough to watch him play one Sunday afternoon on NBATV. His team lost. So at this point, I was wondering what in the world would make the Chicago Bulls trade a former All-Star for Mirotic. I mean his averages in Real Madrid was 12.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. What’s the hype here?
Now I don’t have to wonder anymore. Nikola Mirotic is here.
The myth of Nikola Mirotic to me was an excuse, a justification and a reason for the Bulls to start clearing the salary cap. The longer Derrick Rose was off the court, the bigger Mirotic’s legend grew. It got to the point that he was considered the best player in the world not in the NBA. I compare his myths at the time to streetball urban legends.
Now that Nikola Mirotic has graced the NBA television screens, I have seen some things that are apparently clear. Number one, he will not be a bust. Mirotic can play and will probably be in the league for a while. Number two, the power forward is not ready for big NBA minutes. Pippen Ain’t Easy will take you through a journey of Nikola Mirotic’s preseason.
Oct 6, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) dribbles the ball against Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) during the second half at the United Center. The Washington Wizards defeat the Chicago Bulls 85-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Mirotic’s debut game against the Washington Wizards.
I’ve seen all of the recaps of this game and they mostly say the same thing. Nikola Mirotic played well and he thrilled the crowd with his 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting which included 3-of-5 from the land of the extra point and grabbing five rebounds.
But we need to take a closer look than what happened in the box score.
Let me get this out-of-the-way real quick. I enjoyed the show just as much as anyone else watching Nikola go off. I mean anyone who will stop on a one man fast break to pull up from 28 feet without a care in the world and knock it down will always be a friend of mine. Those kind of shots will have Tom Thibodeau screaming for a sub real quick. Out of the 17 points, Mirotic scored 15 was in that final quarter. Truth be told, he might have been one of the bright spots in an otherwise bad basketball game for both teams.
However…
Up until the explosion, Mirotic was playing awful. He missed defensive assignments. He didn’t block out. He looked very lost on the defensive side of the ball. Even when Mirotic was heating up in the last frame, understand that the Wizards did not play any defense. Some of the shots Nikola hit were wide open. The one contested shot was by Otto Porter Jr. who has been a NBA bust to the second power so far.
Another issue that should be brought up is that the points Mirotic scored was not in the frame of the offense. That is not his fault considering I have seen little evidence of an offensive set for most of the preseason. That will be an issue during the regular season.
Oct 7, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) moves the ball against the Chicago Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Mirotic’s first back to back game vs. Detroit.
Nikola got the first taste of NBA life going into a second half of a back to back against the Detroit Pistons. Here’s where he is going to have to adjust to the NBA game. It’s not just a Nikola Mirotic thing, but a rookie thing in general. He was awful in this game in so many levels.
Remember what I said about all of the scoring not coming in the framing of the Bulls offense? Mirotic’s performance illustrates what I am talking about. He only took one shot in the game, missing it and fouling out of the game scoreless with five turnovers in 14 minutes. Here’s what troubling about the performance. Forget the turnovers, he’s going to have those, he’s still learning. Where the problem lies is the passing up shots Nikola was guilty of.
Mirotic is going to have to get quicker in his release and trim the fat in the ways of making his cuts to get open. The Pistons obviously saw the video of the night before because they ran players at Nikola to get him off the three-point line. The Wizards did not have the athletes that the Pistons have to throw at Mirotic. The athleticism bothered Nikola’s rhythm.
Oct 11, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) drives past Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the second quarter during pre-season game at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nikola Mirotic’s game Saturday vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Mirotic again did not shoot well against the Milwaukee Bucks. He shot 1-for-7 for only two points. However, his overall floor game improved his defense by not fouling and took better care of the ball. He also tallied three blocks in the game.
This shows growth from Mirotic from game to game, week to week. That is all we can ask for from Mirotic at this point. He played better on defense with better body position which can be enhanced with his length. Unlike the last preseason game, none of the Bucks got to the free throw line from Mirotic’s fouls.
Now we do have to understand that this was a Milwaukee Bucks team coached by Jason Kidd, so some of this analysis has to be taken with a grain of salt.
Nikola Mirotic’s previous game vs. the Denver Nuggets.
This game was far and away the best game of Mirotic’s preseason. He looked confident and was aggressive on both sides of the court. Obviously the Chicago Bulls coaching staff had specific instructions on what should happen when Mirotic was in the game and he listened.
Nikola Mirotic scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting (1-of-5 in threes), grabbed four rebounds, had four steals and a block. In this game, Nikola took the ball to the basket strong with scoring intentions. He did not camp out at the three-point line not getting involved. Everyone will remember Mirotic going down the lane for a layup, but my favorite play was when Mirotic took his time and hit a shot over Randy Foye in the post. That stands out because he read the situation and made the right basketball play.
For Nikola Mirotic to see an NBA floor with any consistency, he is going to have to learn the “Thibby” plan which means paying close attention to detail on defense, being strong with the ball and not turn the ball over (like Tony Snell’s issue these days).
If Nikola Mirotic can combine the shooting of the fourth quarter against Washington with the all around efficiency of the Denver Nuggets game and improve, he should get his name called from time to time. But he has to get used to Tom Thibodeau’ demands on a consistent basis to do so. Give him time, the season hasn’t started yet.
The Chicago Bulls have a game on Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks. Can Nikola Mirotic build on his success he had against the Denver Nuggets? It doesn’t matter what direction he goes in, Pippen Ain’t Easy will be right there with analysis of Nikola, the other Chicago Bulls rookies and all the players on the Chicago Bulls roster. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of your Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews. Leave your comment below and let your voices be heard.
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