Chicago Bulls: 4 players that can join NBA leader boards this season
By Abe Rotbart
No. 4 Ryan Arcidiacono has a shot to be among the top three league leaders in assist to turnover ratio
He is known for his hustle. Ryan Arcidiacono was not just a tough hard-nosed reserve point guard for the Bulls last year. He was also one of the most highly efficient players in the league.
He is the only Bull to win a championship in college or the NBA. He knows what it takes to win and he knows his role.
Only two players, Tyus Jones and Monte Morris had a higher assist to turnover ratio last season. Jones came in at 7 assists per turnover, Morris at 5.7 to 1 and Arcidiacono at 4.3 to 1.
Ironically, all three players played approximately 22-24 minutes per game at backup point guard. Their value as efficient ball control players was even more impressive considering they played most of the time with less skilled second stringers.
When looking at the roles each player is expected to play in the upcoming season, there is a chance that Arcidiacono can climb to the top, though unlikely to reach the extraordinary number that Jones reached.
Jones left the Minnesota Timberwolves and signed three-yr $26.44 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are the same team that drafted point guard Ja Morant, who is projected to become a superstar. He will be the starter from day one, meaning Jones will once again be asked to run with the reserves.
The Grizzlies are a young team that finished 16th in the league last year in assist to turnover ratio. They finished last in points per game. Jones will definitely help remedy the situation but considering he will be playing in a different system than Tom Thibodeau‘s conservative offense, it may be difficult for him to reproduce his efficient 2018/19 season.
Monte Morris on the other hand is only entering his third year in the league and is signed with the Denver Nuggets through 2020-21. He rose to prominence last year after Isaiah Thomas was not able to play due to injury.
Considering that Morris set an NCAA record for Assist to Turnover ratio while at Iowa State, his efficient play should not come as a total surprise. If Arcidiacono has any shot at getting past him, Morris would have to regress in an area he has usually excelled.
Still, never doubt the heart of a champion, which Ryan was at Villanova. Like Jones, Arcidiacono’s play earned him a new contract. He is comfortable with his reserve role, is a favorite of coach Boylen and will have a much more improved second team to run with.
Remember, Arcidiacono put up those numbers basically playing with G-League replacements. New second team additions like the experienced Thaddeus Young and rookie Daniel Gafford, who shines in the pick and role, will help the cause.
It is still unclear where Arcidiacono will fit in the rotation since the Bulls also acquired Tomas Satoransky and rookie point guard Coby White. If he can get consistent minutes playing the 20 plus minutes per game he averaged last season, he has a good chance of staying among the league leaders in assist to turnover ratio.