Here’s how Bulls can alter offensive approach in wake of opposing adjustments
DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls have struggled scoring against the league’s best because of the “Bulls blueprint” circulating the league.
Although he hasn’t been apart of the roster long, Tristan Thompson has made a distinct observation about the Chicago Bulls’ offensives woes.
Thompson believes the opposition is regarding the Bulls as a playoff team, prepping for them differently than in past seasons.
"‘‘You’ve got to understand that when you come out that hot in the first half of the season, teams are going to start prepping for you differently,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘Memphis showed it first with how they played us defensively, and it continued on with Miami. And I think that film from Memphis has started to be sent from the video guys to those other playoff teams in the league, and they’re going to have the same game plan coming in defensively. So we’ve got to make those adjustments.’’"
The “blueprint” Thompson is referring to is likely the frequent blitzing and double teams DeRozan and LaVine are seeing. Thompson suggested both the role players stepping up as well as the stars better utilizing the role players.
"“I think we’ve all got to look at each other and say, ‘How can I help our main guys get easier looks,’” Thompson added. “Or how can we be more effective on both ends where teams are going to have to guard the role players and not just over-emphasize their game plan on those three guys?”"
How can the Bulls improve their offensive strategy with DeMar DeRozan?
The blueprint is to blitz DeRozan or LaVine in the pick and roll. The post player and on-ball defender trap as one of the Bulls’ guards use the screen. A player whose primary man is not LaVine, DeRozan or Vucevic denies the screener, who, in most cases, is Vucevic. Another player denies DeRozan or LaVine — whichever isn’t the ball handler — while the fifth player on the court guards both Bulls players left uncovered.
Donovan tried to adjust by running fewer pick and rolls, so teams countered that by trapping DeRozan and LaVine as they get into the paint on drives. The clip above shows the Grizzlies trapping DeRozan in the paint on the Bulls; final possession. DeRozan tries to spin on his defender, but gets tied up and falls.
Other teams have used this same strategy, capitalizing on DeRozan and LaVine’s over-dribbling. Both guards are dynamic slashers. LaVine is stronger finishing at the rim while DeRozan is a mid-range king. To get to their spots, both take guards take more than one move to get downhill — sometimes even going to a secondary move in the rack area.
Since the trap is coming as they drive, they are turning the ball over on the secondary move in the paint. The most glaring part of their offensive struggles has been LaVine and DeRozan’s lack of control on their drives. Instead of being able to keep their dribble alive on the drives, they have been off balance and committing turnovers on kick-outs.
One way to offset this is to have Ayo Dosunmu or Coby White initiate the offense. Opposing defenses will not blitz them on drives. If those two are able to get paint touches in the dribble-drive offense, LaVine and DeRozan will have easier driving lanes since the defense will be shifting.
Taking the ball out of DeRozan’s and LaVine’s hands also runs the risk of them not seeing the ball again. Teams around the league have problems getting their star guards the ball when forced to play them off the ball. Minimizing DeRozan’s and LaVine’s offensive usage will cause more harm than good.
In this clip, Bucks guard Jrue Holiday waits in the paint for DeRozan and rips the ball away from him. Javonte Green is clearly open in the corner, but DeRozan doesn’t look to kick. A simple fix is to kick the ball, but Green is only shooting 34% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
The Bulls’ main role players at the guard position, not including Ball and Caruso, shoot 38% from three on catch-and-shoot opportunities. White is the best shooting option out of the Bulls role players, shooting 52% on such shots in the fourth quarter.
Then again, White is also a defensive liability, costing the Bulls in crucial moments late in games. The relief he provides almost cancels out because of that. Green is a phenomenal defender, but isn’t a great shooter, only hitting 14% of his catch-and-shoot threes in the fourth quarter.
Donovan will have to find a way to punish teams who double his stars without compromising the defense. He could explore implementing a matchup 3-2 zone. The zone would mask White’s defensive deficiency, allowing him to be on the floor during crunch time.
White is 6-foot-5, an above average frame for a point guard. Putting him up top on the matchup zone can hide his lateral weakness and rotation lag. Instead of having to go from defending on the ball, dropping into help and possibly moving with a cutter, White will only have to worry about one area on the defensive end. That’s doable.
The easiest way to fix their offensive struggles is to further involve the role players without having it adversely affect the defense. To do so will require creativity on Donovan’s part, but it isn’t an impossible task. The Bulls’ next slate of games will be key in getting their offensive rhythm back on track.
