E’Twaun Moore: A Chicago Bull You Oughta Know
E’Twaun Moore’s ascent to the starting lineup has generated a number of positives for the Chicago Bulls since adding him to the regular rotation in late January.
One of the biggest questions for the Bulls entering the 2015-16 season was always the starting wing player opposite of Jimmy Butler. Not having Mike Dunleavy, a 35-year-old veteran recovering from back surgery, created a number of concerns at the season’s start.
Unlike former coach Tom Thibodeau, Fred Hoiberg is not shy about mixing and matching the various guys in the rotation to find the next best fit. Fans noted how young players—Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott and Tony Snell—struggled to jockey for position and hadn’t fared so well. Hoiberg made an adjustment by putting E’Twaun Moore in the lineup and he seems to be sticking with it.
“It’s either in you or it’s not,” Moore told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune last week. “I’ve never been scared when the opportunity is there.”
At 6’4″, the fifth-year guard from Purdue gives the Bulls an edge that could neither be filled by McDermott, Mirotic or Snell. Moore is a proven ball handler, who doesn’t commit too many turnovers or make costly mistakes. He can shoot the ball on offense and at defensive end, he can square up his man and stay with him.
The Bulls injured reserve list has grown as of lately and with it, comes concern. Among those sidelined from the action are Butler, Joakim Noah and Nikola Mirotic.
After stepping up as the next best fit for the squad in the absence of Dunleavy, who has since returned to the starting lineup, Moore is now making the case again that he deserves more playing time with Butler sidelined indefinitely.
Moore is averaging 12.5 points, 2.7 assists and one steal in 32.3 minutes since entering the lineup 12 games ago. His teammates Taj Gibson and Cristiano Felicio see what Moore brings to the table night in and night out, too.
“E’Twaun has given us everything,” Gibson said. “He guards the best wing. He puts points on the board. He always listens to Coach, never complains. He does the job like a true professional.”
“To go against him was special,” Felicio said. “We played together a few games with the national team a couple years ago. He talked to me about how to make it at this level. He helped me a lot, taught me to be aggressive and play as hard as I can.”
After being drafted 55th overall in 2011, Moore spent his first three seasons in Boston and Orlando. His first stint in Chicago last season didn’t give him as many chances to showcase his skills on the court. That’s a mistake that Thibodeau made that Hoiberg is seeking to reverse.
Moore could soon be viewed as an unsung hero if the Bulls can turn things around. Chicago will need what he can bring to the table in order to secure a playoff spot in an improved Eastern Conference.
This season, the squad has shown they can battle the NBA’s best in a 48-minute contest, beating the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and others. It’s more about demonstrating consistency and playing every game like it’s their last — something they’ve struggled to capitalize on.
Should the Bulls demonstrate some consistency, generate a series of consecutive wins and solidify each player’s role on the team, Moore could soon see himself gaining more recognition and game-time action for the all good he does.
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While not a traditional point guard, Moore is showing the Bulls’ front office why he deserves to be on the roster moving into next season.