Because of overlapping roles and getting caught in bad line-up combinations, Bulls wing player, Tony Snell underperformed in several games and is essentially being blasted by fans as the scapegoat-posterboy for GarPax shortcomings this year. But Coach Fred Hoiberg should rethink how Snell can be useful going into the playoffs–Tony can really GUARD LeBron James better than Jimmy.
It might turn out that the last seven games can be the saving grace for fan scapegoat, Tony Snell.
Snell’s misplays have been highlighted out of context as a GarPax draft bust blunder, and his role on the team has diminished because of being miscast with other players like Aaron Brooks whose role overlaps Snells. Tony should play as the second unit’s primary rim attacker subbing for Derrick Rose instead of getting miscast in catch-and-shoot roles.
A Better Role
Make no mistake, Tony Snell isn’t an ISO scorer, but neither is Jimmy Butler for crying out loud. Come playoff time, if the Bulls find a miracle, the defense will be swarming on the top dog on every possession and seeing Butler getting stripped every time this year from double teams should be enough for Hoiberg to vary the team’s offensive options. Jimmy has already been well scouted and cannot sneak up on teams anymore as a beastly straight line attacker.
In Thibs era, Jimmy played very strong attacking the rim off the ball via lobs or when his defender underestimated his strength going to the basket. But not in ISO staredown sets like Michael Jordan, shooting over the defender. The Bulls can still use Tony Snell in a new role that is best suited for his athleticism and long arms–this might be the move that helps the Bulls get an edge if they match up against either Cleveland or Toronto.
Stronger as Rim Attacker
Oftentimes, the Bulls get the ball in the hands of Tony Snell in an off-rhythm kick-out situation and when he misses and the other players miss too–the fans blame Snell for ‘underperforming.’ As a wing player, Snell has proven to be a capable scorer who can make 20 points a game and shoot 3 to 4 threes on a good night. But his role on offense should really be focused on attacking the rim as a slasher the way Justin Holiday also plays. Forget about him needing to knock down threes in catch-and-shoot situations, because it is not his primary advantage as a player. Tony Snell plays very, very strong attacking the basket and creating free throw opportunities. The Bulls miscast Snell as a pure knockdown shooter when he should have been playing under Derrick Rose’s shadow as second rim attacker. Which is why his stats misleadingly show poor 2-point shooting percentage–he is taking most of his shots from range.
Setting up Tony Snell as primary slasher should be a better fit for him on a team already filled with range shooters. And this is the key in using him successfully. Just watch his highlight film so you can understand his strengths as a player. When Tony drives to the hoop more than he shoots the three, he shines with his athletic edge over most opponents with weak rim protectors, than with his slow release set shot from range.
LeBron Stopper
From Coach Tom Thibodeau’s stint last year, Tony Snell has proven to be more than capable of guarding Lebron James–flat out stopping him in a regular season game. It may be Thibs mistake NOT matching Snell against LeBron during last year’s playoffs–playing Jimmy Butler exclusively on King James. As we clearly remember, Jimmy lost that match-up.
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If Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott, and even Aaron Brooks are the better knock-down, microwave shooters, Coach Hoiberg might option Tony Snell as the backdoor play attacker or the drive-to-the-basket off the screen player, when Derrick Rose sits down. That’s another real strength that can add layers to the Bulls offense. Mike Dunleavy should be phased out of his starting role and the Bulls should get more minutes freed for the younger wings. Snell should play good minutes in the Bulls remaining games. To get him accustomed to playing defense and playing a better fit on offense.
Not every Bulls player should be gunning the three so that the opponents defense is kept guessing where the attack will be coming from. Justin Holiday might be currently playing Snell’s supposed role as the wing defender on the 2nd unit, but come playoff time, the team will really need all hands ready. Mike Dunleavy has already been playing plenty minutes unproductively so Coach Hoiberg might choose to reinsert Tony Snell into the line up.
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The Bulls must not give up on a player who can still give the team an edge going into the playoffs especially if they eventually face either Cleveland or Toronto. Snell plays well against both teams–as defender versus LeBron–whom the refs will give plenty of foul calls–and as scorer versus the Raptors poor defense.