Pippen Ain't Easy
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Film Room with the Bulls: What to Like, Not Like from First Two Weeks of Season

By Michael Whitlow

Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts on the side line during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts on the side line during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Doug McDermott, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls
Mar 17, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) drives around Brooklyn Nets guard Sergey Karasev (10) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 118-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

What to Not Like: Doug McDermott handling the ball off a screen

This has carried over from last season, but something that’s been an issue (among the laundry list of things for the Bulls) is Doug McDermott, specifically creating something other than a shot off a screen.

McDermott’s defense has been well-documented as poor, but his shooting has been a bright spot (and needed) for the Bulls since he started seeing extended playing time in the NBA.

But, something that hasn’t been talked about as much as those two topics is McDermott as a ball-handler.

Take note of this McDermott turnover from Opening Night against the Celtics in his first stint off the bench this season.

The Bulls ran a set they like to run with McDermott with “elevator doors” set up by the 4 and 5 on the floor (in this play, it’s Nikola Mirotic and Robin Lopez) that allow McDermott to run through and away from his man, and shooting an open look (preferably a 3).

McDermott got through the doors, but with Terry Rozier closing quick, McDermott hesitated for a split-second, so the shot opportunity was gone.

With Rozier back in front of him, McDermott looked for another option. Al Horford‘s man was Mirotic, but Horford kept his eyes on McDermott to help Rozier in case of a drive. As McDermott realizes he has two guys on him, he whips a pass across the floor to Mirotic, not knowing that Isiah Thomas is watching him the whole time, and steals the pass easily.

In this play from the Knicks game, McDermott got a screen from Cristiano Felicio with Brandon Jennings guarding him. Felicio rolled, but Noah took McDermott off the screen on a switch.

With nowhere to go and an indecision on whether or not to try and shoot over Noah, McDermott does … something, and throws it back out top.

Luckily for the Bulls, Jimmy Butler reacted quickly and the possession was saved.

It’s not McDermott’s role to dish out 5-7 assists per game, but a lot of the time when he’s in a situation to create for someone other than himself, it hasn’t been going well. Teams are scoring 10.2 points off McDermott’s turnovers, which is the third-highest number on the Bulls roster.

(As you’d expect, Rajon Rondo is No. 1 in that category with 11.8 opponents points off his turnovers.)

When McDermott turns the ball over, it’s usually going to lead to points on the other end without much trouble.

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