Pippen Ain't Easy
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Have Bucks Provided a Blueprint on how to Beat the Chicago Bulls?

By Paul Steeno

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In a double overtime thriller, the Chicago Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-106 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven first-round series. Despite the Bulls’ dominant lead, each game has been a hard fought affair, with the Bucks appearing to have Chicago on the ropes on a number of occasions throughout the series. Perhaps the Bucks have figured out a thing or two about how to play the Bulls effectively. A more talented opponent could exploit these weaknesses and come out with wins. Have the Milwaukee Bucks provided other teams with a blueprint on how to beat the Bulls in the playoffs?

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The Bucks have formulated an effective defensive strategy that has worked well against the Bulls. The problem for the Bucks is they have deviated from their strategy as the game progresses, and the roster doesn’t boast the necessary talent to keep up with the Bulls for the duration of an entire NBA contest. The Bucks have been doubling Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler on the perimeter and clogging the lane by eliminating many of their driving lanes. Milwaukee seems determined to not lose because of the penetration abilities of Butler and Rose and have turned both players into perimeter oriented shooters. Obviously, the skill set of Butler and Rose has allowed both players to get into the lane and score but at a far less frequent rate than they have done against other teams.

  Game 1:

Derrick Rose: seven 3-point attempts, 8/16 shots were outside the paint

Jimmy Butler: five 3-point attempts, 8/15 shots were outside the paint

Game 2: 

Derrick Rose: six 3-point attempts, 10/14 shots were outside the paint

Jimmy Butler: nine 3-point attempts, 13/19 shots were outside the paint

Game 3 (Double OT): 

Derrick Rose: nine 3-point attempts, 18/23 shots were outside the paint

Jimmy Butler: seven 3-point attempts, 14/20 shots were outside the paint

The Milwaukee Bucks have figured out a way to make the Bulls two best players perimeter oriented. The Bulls have been able to compensate because Rose and Butler have shot the ball well thus far this series, and when the Bulls’ shooters have come up empty, the Bucks haven’t taken advantage of the opportunity offensively. As the playoffs move forward and the opponents continue to improve, Chicago’s ability to continue to make Rose and Butler perimeter oriented will be critical for this team’s success.

Example:The Bulls only scored 11 points in the first quarter of Game 2, but the Bucks only managed to score 16. Replace the Bucks with the Cavaliers or Hawks in the same situation, and the Bulls are facing a double-digit deficit in the first quarter of the game. A dry spell can occur at any point in the game if Rose and Butler are relegated to the perimeter, and a better team would take advantage of this situation to a greater extent than the Bucks have in this series.

Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is greeted by Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after scoring during the second overtime period against the Milwaukee Bucks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

So, essentially the Bucks are playing a selective zone, picking-and-choosing which players they will force to take the open shots. The best way to neutralize the double teams and clogged lanes is quick passing. Unfortunately, the Bulls have struggled with their passing, recording a high number of turnovers throughout the series.

This is the Bulls’ big issue. Injuries have prevented the starting unit from forming the on-court chemistry that comes from playing together throughout an entire season. The chemistry isn’t completely there yet, and that explains the high turnovers rate in the first three games of the series.

Bulls Playoff Turnover Average: 17.3 turnovers per game.

Bulls Regular Season Turnover Average: 13.2 per game

*Note: The Bulls playoff turnover average is last among all playoff teams.

Yes, the Milwaukee Bucks led the NBA in forced turnovers per game at 16.6 during the regular season. However, the Bulls are a veteran team that should be taking care of the ball better. The Bulls lack of ball protection prevents them from effectively breaking the double teams and this ultimately has led to their struggles at times during this series. Ideally, the Bulls will continue to develop better chemistry with each passing game, and the turnover woes will be corrected even if their future opponents decide to execute a similar strategy as the Bucks have in this series thus far.

Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) loses the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard

Michael Carter-Williams

(5) defends during overtime of game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

So what is the blueprint to beat the Bulls in the playoffs right now? Double Rose and Butler on the perimeter and clog the lane. This forces Chicago to swing the ball around the court, an element that the Bulls haven’t completely perfected at this moment. If the Bulls do make it to the second round and their opponent executes this strategy, they are going to have to counter with major adjustments. The Bucks very well may go down in four games, but at the same time their efforts remain relevant because they provide other teams with a scouting report on how to play the Bulls defensively.

Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) reacts after scoring during the second overtime period against the Chicago Bulls in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Banking on Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler continuing to shoot the ball effectively from the outside is a dangerous gamble. In order to win moving forward, the Bulls have to figure out ways to get open driving lanes for their two best players. With this being said, I still think the Bulls make the necessary adjustments if they make the second round and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

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