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For first time in career, Cristiano Felicio leads Bulls in scoring in victory over Pelicans

By Michael Whitlow

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Cristiano Felicio #6 of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After signing a $32 million contract with the Chicago Bulls this past July, Cristiano Felicio showed on Tuesday why the Bulls might really have a diamond in the rough and an heir that can take the place of Robin Lopez at center.

Let’s preface this discussion on why Cristiano Felicio is going to win the NBA Most Improved Player Award this season with this: it’s the first game of the preseason. That’s an important note that should be placed at the top of all of these notes.

Still, Felicio not only led the Bulls in scoring for the first time since coming to Chicago in any version of a game (regular season, playoffs or preseason) on Tuesday night in a 113-109 Bulls victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first of six preseason games for the Bulls.

Felicio played 22 minutes on Tuesday night against the Pelicans and scored 15 points on eight shots, grabbed five rebounds and dished out a pair of assists in the four-point win. The Brazilian big man also hit all three of his free throw attempts.

What’s encouraging about Felicio’s performance isn’t just the part where he led the Bulls roster in points scored on Tuesday, although that’s a pretty unexpected stat. Eight (!) Bulls scored in double figures against the Pelicans, who got two strong performances from Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins against the Bulls, and it was Felicio’s performance that stood out among most of the others.

That’s good news for the Bulls. Felicio just turned 25 years old this past July and not only is he younger than the always-reliable Robin Lopez, he’s on a more team-friendly deal of $8 million a year over the next four seasons. That opens the door for the Bulls to trade the more experienced Lopez to a team that’s actually playing to win games and not improve their draft positioning.

This play above that led to an and-one for Felicio off a Kris Dunn pass in the second half on Tuesday night really showed that Felicio has been dedicating himself to not only getting into shape, but staying in shape and continuously staying light on his feet, which is great for a big man.

Felicio’s minutes may be numbered now, but he’s the guy in the middle once the Bulls decide to move on from Lopez. If (and when) the Bulls traded Lopez away, all that’s left at center on the depth chart would be Diamond Stone.

Next: Bulls come from 17 points down to beat Pelicans

The third-year Brazilian may only have a limited amount of time to shine now, but he will have much more sooner rather than later.

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