Prior to the All-Star break, the Chicago Bulls ranked dead-last in the NBA in free throw attempts per game. The Bulls averaged only 19.0 free throws per contest—0.6 less than the 29th-place Oklahoma City Thunder. While free throw rate doesn't necessarily correlate to winning, the more troublesome matter is that the Bulls ranked fifth in free throw accuracy. Thus, Chicago left points on the table by failing to get to the line frequently enough.
In 17 games since the All-Star break, the Bulls rank 21st in free throw attempts. Chicago averages 20.5 free throws per contest and converts them at an 83.6 percent clip, good for second in the NBA. There's still room for improvement, but it must be noted that the Bulls' guards have made a diligent effort to attack the basket in a greater capacity—leading to success.
Coby White has notably upped his percentage of points from the line from 16.4 to 19.8 since the midseason festivities. White averaged merely 3.3 free throws prior to the All-Star break. Now, he's attempting 5.7 freebies per game. Besides the impressive rate at which White reaches the charity stripe, he's draining 90.7 percent of his free throws. The 6-foot-5 guard is one of six players in the NBA to shoot above 90 percent from the line on 5.0 or more attempts per game since February 20.
Josh Giddey has drastically improved his free throw rate
White isn't the only Bulls to up his free throw rate throughout the season. Josh Giddey has seen an increase of 3.5 attempts per game since the All-Star break. The Aussie has gone from attempting 2.2 free throws per contest to 5.7 after the break. Despite the increase in attempts, his free throw percentage has shot up from 75.4 percent to 83.8 percent. Giddey ranks 30th in the NBA in free throw accuracy among players to have attempted at least 50 freebies since the All-Star break.
The 22-year-old guard hasn't done anything special to increase his free throw frequency. The secret to his improved foul-drawing capabilities can be traced back to his concerted effort to get to the rim. Prior to the All-Star game, Giddey averaged 8.9 drives per game, ranking third on the team—behind White and former Bull Zach LaVine.
Since the All-Star game, Giddey has averaged 15.5 drives per contest—first on the team. Giddey ranks 11th in the association in drives per game post-All-Star break. Giddey ranks ninth in the NBA in field goal percentage on drives of the 48 players to record 150 or more drives since February 20. The 6-foot-8 guard shoots 56.3 percent on drives. His driving field goal percentage has seen nearly a nine percent jump from pre- to post-All-Star break.
Giddey has figured out how to effectively get to the rim and draw contact without being the fastest or strongest player on the floor. While discussing the Bulls' frenetic pace and Giddey's aggressive offensive approach, Adam Mares of the ALL NBA Podcast referred to the Aussie as "the skinniest player in the NBA that plays bully ball."
Mares went on to say that Giddey almost plays like fellow bully baller Julius Randle. Although he doesn't compare athletically to Randle, CHGO Sports' Will Gottlieb responded to Mares, saying, "[Giddey] uses his shoulder as a battering ram," which allows him to get downhill to either convert at the rim or draw the foul.
Giddey's keen ability to knife into the lane has opened up the Bull's offense and has led to the 22-year-old's rapid improvement. Giddey wouldn't be averaging 22.6 points per game post-All-Star break if he didn't make such a concerted effort to get to the rack. What's also come of Giddey's increased driving numbers is his ballooned three-point percentage. Now, instead of playing only the pass, defenders must decide whether to take Giddey's three-ball away or back off, awaiting a drive.