Since the outset of the regular season, one of the reserve players for the Chicago Bulls that the coaching staff looked to have some confidence in is the former Washington Wizards shooting guard/small forward Troy Brown Jr. After acquiring him from the Wizards at the trade deadline last season, the Bulls were looking to help right the ship in the development of the former first-round draft pick Brown.
The problem for Brown is the fact that he’s still having trouble finding his game with the Bulls. He’s playing solid on-ball defense for the Bulls, is solid shooting from the corners on three-point attempts at times, and is very quick off-the-dribble, and has some smooth moves to get to the rim.
But none of those aspects of Brown’s game have become staples for him on a consistent basis. Brown is averaging just 0.2 steals per game and doesn’t have a single block on the regular season so far. He’s registered a career-worst -4.5 defensive box plus/minus on the season so far.
Troy Brown Jr. still struggling to find his niche with the Chicago Bulls
Brown has also registered a cumulative box plus/minus of -7.5, which is definitely good for a career-low. He’s also registered career-worsts in player efficiency rating, offensive rating, and a value over replacement player rating of -0.1.
Despite the opportunity to get more minutes coming off the bench on the wing, and/or at the four, in the absence of second-year forward Patrick Williams, Brown is struggling to make the most of it. Williams is likely going to be out for the rest of the regular season, and this could be the chance that Brown and/or small forward Derrick Jones Jr. is looking for to really establish themselves.
But if Brown doesn’t improve his play soon, it could be the combination of Jones and shooting guard Javonte Green that picks up the minutes left by the absence of the injured Williams.
Brown could be establishing a niche for himself as a corner three-point shooter. He is at least shooting north of 36 percent from beyond the arc, which is good for a career-best. He’s also shooting 40.0 on corner three-point attempts. That could be something for Brown to hang his hat on moving forward.
Simply said, though, Brown needs to find the proper niche in his game with the Bulls. Coming off the bench, he could be a solid three-and-D wing for the Bulls this season. But his on/off-court plus/minus on the season so far shows he’s struggling to find whatever role he could have with this team. Brown has a -9.0 on/off-court plus/minus so far this season.
Now, we still have to bring some level of patience to the table with Brown. He’s still 22 years old and is looking to find his role on an ever-changing Bulls team.
Brown and the Bulls are set to take on the Boston Celtics on the road on the first day of November at the TD Garden. They will carry a record of 5-1 into that meeting with the Celtics following a big 107-99 win over the Utah Jazz at home on Oct. 30.