Tiago Splitter’s game principles already make the Bulls’ roster more intriguing

The Chicago Bulls' head coach search has surrendered its mystery with the official hiring announcement that Tiago Splitter will replace Billy Donovan as Bulls head coach.

Splitter’s background as both a former NBA player, notably as a starting center for the 2013-14 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, and head coach in EuroLeague basketball for Paris Basketball are strong influences on Splitter’s basketball worldview.  

Bulls fans in general should expect to see an interesting on-court product from Splitter that continues the late-stage Billy Donovan Bulls emphasis on pace and three-point shooting. 

What Splitter’s offense should inject into the Bulls' game plan that was less prevalent under Donovan is more emphasis on ball screen and cutting, working together to create advantages in the middle of the floor.

Splitter gave a wide-ranging interview on the Slappin’ Glass podcast that went in-depth to describe his basketball coaching principles and tactics. 

There are a handful of themes from the interview that should either instantly translate to the Bulls roster or, frankly, create interesting questions for Bulls lead front office executive Bryson Graham to answer in his roster-building moves.

Bulls fans get ready to learn Iverson cut

In his Slappin’ Glass interview, Splitter spoke on the prevalence of Iverson cuts in his offense and also the wide use of the basketball action in European basketball.  Iverson cuts are off-ball actions in which a player sprints from one wing to the opposite wing, typically to draw a defender into traffic or manipulate a defense to a desired space on the floor.

For context, Splitter succeeded current Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo as head coach of Paris Basketball, and Iisalo’s use of the Iverson cut has quickly become a staple in the Grizzlies offense after using this action prominently in his European basketball coaching.

According to Splitter, the action serves the purpose in his offense of creating confusion and moving opposing help defense to desirable spots in an offensive possession.

Conceptual basketball to support game speed

Splitter, by his own admission, does not call a heavy amount of set plays, and that should benefit a young rebuilding roster such as the Bulls.  This offensive framework could potentially be a benefit to evolving Josh Giddey’s game, which has traditionally functioned best in transition. 

However, if Giddey can develop feel in the half-court similar to the success Splitter unlocked in Deni Avidja during the 2026 NBA playoffs, then a new Josh Giddey may emerge during the 206-27 NBA season.

Big emphasis on the bigs rotation

Splitter, being a former NBA center, naturally cares a lot about screening and talked at length about the considerations a center needs to make when setting a screen and also prioritizing their relationship with their point guard.  The hiring of Splitter as Bulls head coach now puts a significant spotlight on the type of players Graham acquires to fill out the Bulls front-court rotation.

But what about Splitter’s defense

A credible question mark in Splitter’s time as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers is his acumen on the defensive side of the ball. 

This reason, among other reasons only known inside the Bulls’ braintrust that hired Splitter, would likely explain reports that Bulls assistant coach will remain a member of the Bulls coaching staff going into the 2026-27 NBA season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow