The most important thing the Chicago Bulls’ Las Vegas Summer League title run produced is not a trophy, but a confidence boost.
The SummerBulls won the title in the Thomas and Mack Center on Monday night in Las Vegas in a thrilling overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
By doing so, they solidified their place amongst the greatest teams in Vegas history … well, not really. The summer league championship is hardly a barometer of future success.
But, the group of young Bulls who will play in real NBA uniforms next season can take their 7-0 run in Vegas with them mentally.
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Confidence is one of the most essential ingredients for success in all of professional sports. Everyone in the NBA is supremely talented. Everyone has size. Everyone is physical. There are just varying degrees.
Something separates the superstars from the All-Stars, starters from bench players. It’s not all talent or work ethic.
In many cases, it might be as simple as believing you are good enough to excel.
Bulls first-round pick Denzel Valentine did not dominate in Vegas. His numbers say he played poorly. In Monday’s win, he had a statically miserable shooting night. But when it mattered most, he asked for the ball, and he delivered not once, but twice.
He didn’t get lucky in Vegas. He confidently took two makeable shots at the end of regulation and overtime and hit them both to tie and to win the game.
Valentine: "As soon as they tied it up, I went over to asst. coach Charlie (Henry) and said, ‘Give me the ball. I’m going to win this game.’
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 19, 2016
The No. 14 overall pick of this year’s draft didn’t just discover his confidence because of those two shots. They signal that he’s ready for more.
Bobby Portis, like Valentine, knows he can play at the highest level. His performance in Vegas helped solidified his deserved ego. His dominance in his second summer league earned him a spot on the All-NBA Summer League First Team, along with Ben Simmons – the No. 1 overall pick.
Portis did not lack confidence his rookie season. If anything, he was overly confident. After he played less than expected to start the season last year, he tried to prove he could create offense and did too much at times; sometimes to the detriment of his team. He curbed that over-aggression in Vegas.
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The big man looks poised to prove his game is ready to back up his supreme confidence.
NBA success is predicated on five players understanding their role. When a player has the correct shot within the offense, he must take it. Hesitation and doubt prevent this. NBA careers can be ruined when self-doubt materializes on the court.
Tony Snell seems to be one of the best teammates and most likable Bulls. He has all of the size, athleticism and shot-making ability needed to succeed. His second summer league performance suggested he was headed in that direction. But, he’s been awful and his lack of confidence was apparent almost every time he stepped on the court. Lost confidence makes even the most talented player unplayable.
Jerian Grant did not play well in Vegas until Monday’s championship game. His performance earned him Summer League Finals MVP honors. Whether he values the honor or not, it won’t hurt his self-confidence.
As a rookie for the New York Knicks, his playing time was sporadic. As the first-round pick of a team that was out of playoff contention, his lack of minutes was shocking. Merits of this aside, playing limited minutes is never good for a young player’s psyche.
When Grant came to the Bulls, it was assumed he would step into a larger role. A series of acquisitions since then puts his playing time into question. Monday night’s MVP award does not guarantee Grant any time next season, but it offers a chance to build on something positive.
As for Cristiano Felicio, he hardly missed a shot in Vegas. He dominated in limited minutes. The Bulls were one of a few teams to give the 6’10” undrafted Brazilian a look last summer. He made the team because he has all the tools and size needed to exceed, but so do a lot of guys.
Felicio barely played in his first season. When he finally got his chance, he played like an NBA-caliber starter. Before his spectacular run to end the season and his Vegas dominance, he had very little experience playing at a level even remotely close to the NBA. He has all of the skills needed to earn the most underrated title in sports: veteran.
Next: The Bulls of Summer: Team awards for the title team in Vegas
More importantly, he knows he does, and that translates into success.
Everyone is on an NBA team for a reason. Everyone has talent.
What everyone doesn’t have is the self-confidence to match. The open shot must be taken. Hesitation spoils offensive sets, fast breaks and careers.
Four Bulls – Valentine, Portis, Grant and Felicio – left Vegas with something very few do: a huge confidence boost. An essential transferable skill, in a league where everyone is talented.