SHOOTING WOES WILL HAVE FOES PACKING PAINT
Hawks’ gameplan could look familiar when games count
There’s a certain amount of acceptance for the Bulls when it comes to games like the one Thursday.
In their 97- 81 loss to the Hawks, the Bulls shot a horrific 29- for- 95 from the field, just a tick over 30 percent. From three- point range, they were 4- for- 22 ( 18.2 percent).
No wonder the Hawks began the game by packing in the paint and daring the Bulls to beat them from outside. That’s not only a gameplan the Bulls will see most nights, but it’s one that had eye- opening results. So what’s the remedy? “Our pace has to be good, and it has been for the most part throughout this preseason,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said after the loss to the Hawks. “We have been getting it up, we’ve been having some quick strikes before the defense gets set. You’re going to have those nights, but we did guard on the other end, and that kept us into the game until really the last part of the fourth quarter. But we’ve got to continue to fight, continue to cut, continue to screen when times get tough.’’
Not that the showing against the Hawks was unexpected. When you assemble a core that lacks consistent three- point shooting, that’s what happens.
The Bulls hope they can push the ball up the court and keep the defense off- balance, and when they can’t, they have to be precise in their cutting and screens.
Even when they are, there still are going to be rough nights.
“There’s going to be moments where there’s nothing we can do, [ the opposing defense is] going to get set,’’ Dwyane Wade said. “They’re going to score the basketball, so they’re going to get set. We’ve gotta make shots. There’s going to be moments where we have opportunities to get out in the open court, transition and be aggressive, try and score the basketball, as well.
“There’s not one remedy. We’ve shown through this preseason that we can score the basketball. First, it’s about putting it all together. Put the defensive game together, the offensive game together, and make shots when we need to make them. They’re going to go under screens on certain guys, and we’ve got to do everything we can to make the shots. You’re not going to make it every night, and there’s going to be nights like this, but for the most part keep shooting.’’
Three other observations from the preseason:
1. Doug McDermott is going to be huge: Momentum has been building for the third- year player, and it looks legit. The Bulls will need him. McDermott is their best outside threat.
2. Bench woes: Besides McDermott, the Bulls’ bench is suspect. That’s why the front office took the gamble in landing Michael Carter-Williams. The group needs someone to stabilize it. Bobby Portis, Cristiano Felicio and Jerian Grant have been inconsistent, and rookie Denzel Valentine is injured.
3. As goes Rondo ... : The Bulls believe Rajon Rondo can run Hoiberg’s offense like it should be run, but he has to cut down on his turnovers. He had 20 in five preseason games. Hopefully for this group, it’s simply growing pains.
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