5 Positives From the 2016-17 Chicago Bulls

Apr 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard KJ McDaniels (14) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard KJ McDaniels (14) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
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Paul Zipser, F, Chicago Bulls
Mar 2, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Paul Zipser (16) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 94- 87. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Second-Round Success: Zipsanity

It was realistic to think Paul Zipser was never going to break into the rotation as a second-round pick who was basically an unknown. The only things you knew about him when drafted was that he had a special shoe made for him to accommodate the extra bone in his foot. So Bulls fan took to their bashing of management as usual.

Catching everyone off guard, Zipser has become a reliable rotation player and even did a decent job filling in as a starter when called upon. The German rookie illustrated how smart decision-making aligns with competence.

He only shot 33 percent from 3-point range but he showed off a lot of good things. His defense has been composed and he’s proven to have versatility defensively, able to guard multiple positions.

He rarely took bad shots; he understood his role within the offense and fit in well when given big minutes.

It seems as if he’s going to have a big role coming off the bench in the playoffs so he will have the chance to prove to Bulls fans that Zipsanity is very much a real thing.

The most eye-popping thing about Zipser was that he outplayed first-round pick Denzel Valentine by miles. Valentine has shown he can heat up, but Zipser is more consistent on offense and miles ahead defensively.