Feb 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
If the secret to Derrick Rose’s success is confidence, Tony Snell’s secret is consistency. In the month of February, he is averaging 36 minutes of playing time and 18 points per game. Compare this with his second most productive month which was January. He averaged 22.3 minutes per game and only scored 6.6 points per contest. In the month of December, Snell’s monthly minutes average was at a season low. Unsurprisingly, he averaged less than 1 point per game.
Tony Snell thrives off of consistency. It takes him awhile to get within the flow of the offense and get his jump shot working the way he wants. However, when he gets enough playing time, the outside shots begin to fall. From there, his game really opens up. He has proven to be an effective back-door cutter and has a decent floater game as well.
Tony Snell’s success in summer league ball last year further suggests that he thrives off of consistent minutes. In five summer league games in Las Vegas, Tony Snell averaged 20 points per game on 46% shooting. The key: he averaged 30 minutes per game.
For his efforts, Tony Snell was named to the 2014 summer-league first team.
Despite evidence to the foolishness of this move, Tom Thibodeau may choose to dramatically reduce Tony Snell’s minutes with the addition of Butler and Hinrich back into the line-up.
Jimmy Butler has been Tom Thibodeau’s work horse this season. Therefore it is unlikely that Tony Snell will take minutes away from Butler. Jimmy leads the Bulls in points, minutes and has arguably become the Bulls best defender. The exponential growth of the fourth year player this season has earned him league wide recognition as he played in his first all-star game this past weekend. Thibodeau is going to keep riding Butler and it will come at the expense of Snell getting playing time.