Chicago Bulls Talk: Issues That Have Arisen In Preseason

Oct 24, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mo Williams (25) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) defends during the second quarter at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Boy does this bench have problems.

This can be taken as a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is, at least  Tom Thibodeau is using the bench to actually notice that there are issues. Last year in the playoffs, outside of D.J. Augustin and Taj  Gibson, the bench players were used as props to prove to the NBA that there were enough players to fill out the roster.

Thankfully the Bulls front office went to work and added weapons to the Chicago Bulls bench. The Bulls brought in Aaron Brooks and rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic to help out Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson.

Here’s good part. More than likely Doug McDermott will get plenty of time on the floor with the second unit because the Bulls need his shooting for floor spacing. Taj Gibson is only going to get better and it looks like he’s physically stronger this year. Gibson is going to work the second units of opposing teams out. No question.

Here’s the bad.

Oh that backcourt. Ever heard of the term “mouse in the house”? Boy does it apply here and Aaron Brooks is the reason.

Aaron Brooks has been up and down this preseason (mostly down) and the offense really struggles when he is on the floor. Don’t get me wrong he is lightning quick and can get to the rim anytime he wants. The problem is he does not get the Bulls into their offense. While Hinrich went off for 26 points against the Charlotte Hornets, he still brings the same problems as last year with poor shooting and the inability to stay in front of quick guards.

The message is clear here. Gibson and McDermott are the major cogs to the second unit. The backcourt? Ugh!