Underrated Chicago Bulls reserves who deserve more love: Tony Bradley
Another key reserve player for the Bulls that is getting a big, and warranted, uptick in playing time lately is the former Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers center Tony Bradley. After missing some time during the preseason slate and at the outset of the regular season due to injury issues, Bradley is becoming more of a regular in the second unit for Donovan and the Bulls off the bench.
Bradley has played in 35 minutes over the course of four games this season. And he’s made a pretty sizable impact during this limited stint of playing time. The per 36 numbers that Bradley posted through four games also inspires a lot of excitement as to where his game will go from here on out.
Bradley has averaged 10.1 points per 36 minutes, 13.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks, so far this season. Given the inside presence that the Bulls desperately needed on the defensive end of the floor at the outset of the regular season, getting Bradley more involved off the bench is crucial.
The type of production that the Bulls are getting out of Bradley and Jones is actually pretty similar thus far. The need for the Bulls to get more blocked shots and offensive boards is being delivered from this duo. Bradley has four blocks and nine rebounds in the last two games.
It makes a lot of sense for the Bulls to continue to give Bradley more playing time in the coming days and weeks. He got over a dozen minutes on the floor in the wins over the Jazz and Celtics. The impact he’s making for the Bulls off the bench should make him a critical piece of the frontcourt unit moving forward.