Chicago Bulls: 3 takeaways from the preseason loss to the Hornets

By Luke Askew | Oct 9, 2018

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Fred Hoiberg of the Chicago Bulls watches on against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 8, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Jabari Parker is out of rhythm

Jabari Parker can’t buy a bucket right now.

In the Bulls’ 3 preseason games, he’s shot an extremely rough 24.3 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from 3-point range. That’s… not good.

The Chicago native came to the Bulls this summer on a nice 2-year, $40 million deal and many Bulls fans (like myself) thought he would make an immediate impact on offense. Obviously, it’s just preseason, so it’s not time to panic (yet), but basketball is basketball and right now, Parker looks extremely uncomfortable on the floor with his new teammates.

A large part of his rough transition to the Bulls is probably because of the injury to fellow forward Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen helps the Bulls spread the floor, he helps get everyone else open and he puts a unique kind of pressure on the defense. There is no doubt in my mind that Parker will be better once Markkanen is back suited up for the team, but it’s time to face reality. Markkanen will likely be out until late November and there’s nothing we can do about that.

Parker needs to get back in rhythm before the regular season begins if the Bulls want to get off to a nice start in 2018. He has the talent – we all know that – he just needs to settle in.

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