Pleasant surprises for the Chicago Bulls through 3 games: Alize Johnson
Another Bulls player that was acquired by the front office since the trade deadline last season that looks to play a big role among the reserves is the former Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers 25-year-old power forward Alize Johnson. This 6-foot-7 and 215-pound forward might have his stock trending up the fastest of any Bulls big this preseason.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley got a great value by signing Johnson to a two-year minimum deal essentially. His production and efficiency was steadily rising over the course of the last two seasons with the Pacers and Nets. And he was one of the most undervalued free agents among forwards in the latter stages of the offseason.
The Bulls needed help at the four, and Johnson can help fill a lot of the holes that would be present in the frontcourt unit on the bench otherwise. He’s an extremely efficient rebounder, and a tough on-ball defender. Johnson is agile and lengthy enough to defend wings and forwards. But he’s tough enough to contend down low with some skilled big men.
He hang in there tough with the likes of Cavs big men Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen, and Evan Mobley in the Bulls third win of the preseason on Oct. 10.
Johnson leads the Bulls in effective field goal percentage (71.4), true shooting percentage (76.1), rebounding percentage (30.5), and offensive rating (159.4). He also ranks second on the team in defensive rating (80.8), player efficiency rating (35.0), and assist percentage (25.5).
You can’t ask for much more than what Johnson provided for the Bulls off the bench through three games thus far during the preseason. He’s averaged around 20 points per 36 minutes, 23 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. He ranks second in the NBA in defensive and offensive rating, and in rebounding percentage.