OTHER TEAMS LOOK TO GSW FOR REBUILD BLUEPRINT
CHICAGO — The Warriors’ lone visit to the United Center on Wednesday represents plenty of storylines.
The league’s gold standard brings its superstar-laden, budding dynasty to town, aiming to tie its franchise record with its 14th straight road victory. Zach LaVine gets to try guarding Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson after missing November’s 49-point loss in Oakland, Calif., the third-worst defeat in Bulls’ franchise history.
Heck, if he were given to such introspection — which he’s not — Warriors coach Steve Kerr could stroll to the west foul line and revisit the spot he sank one of the most famous shots in Bulls history to end the 1997 NBA Finals in six games.
But perhaps above all, the matchup represents a measuring stick on two fronts.
The Bulls are playing different basketball than they were in November, leading the NBA in made 3-pointers and 3-point percentage in January. They’re healthier, sharing the ball and — dare it be said? — flashing the pace-and-space philosophy the Warriors seemingly have perfected to win two of the last three titles.
(Don’t compare the defenses. The Bulls have allowed 105 or more points in 10 straight games for the first time since January 1986. The Warriors have the fourth-best defensive rating.)
At 17-27, the Bulls also are in the first season of a full rebuild, hoping to emulate the path the Warriors traveled. They went 23-43 in 2011-12, Curry’s third season and Thompson’s first. Three seasons later, the Warriors went 67-15 and won the first title of their current run of supremacy.
“I don’t know if we’re trying to go right after what they do,” LaVine said. “What we’re trying to do is take their winning pedigree. We all want to be in the same position they’ve been (in) the last four seasons, a team that turned it around in a season-and-a-half.
“What they do is just different than what any other team has done before, especially with the type of players they have and the system they use. It’s hard to simulate that, especially for another team to do it in the same era. It’s definitely a team you look up to, but you can’t look up to them too much because you’re competing with them and trying to beat them.”
Indeed, not even another streak-busting victory for a Bulls team well versed in those wouldn’t mean much other than an enjoyable night of basketball and another example of competitiveness. As well as, say, Nikola Mirotic is playing, he’s not Kevin Durant.
So while the Bulls have been better at embracing coach Fred Hoiberg’s preferred offensive philosophy, the Warriors still represent a collection of talent that can lap the field. No wonder Hoiberg labeled them “a historic team” while assessing their style of play.
“I think it’s something everybody strives for, but they have the talent just to be in certain situations and positions that not a lot of other teams can do,” Hoiberg said, almost wistfully. “You look at their movement and pace and unselfishness, and that’s what you try to emulate. A lot of teams are trying to do it, but just based on what you have on your roster, sometimes you can’t play that way.
“Our guys have gotten so much better at getting the ball up the floor quickly as the season has gone on, playing more out of transition.”
Indeed, the Bulls rank fourth in the NBA with 23.7 assists per game. Not surprisingly, the Warriors lead the league at 30.6, a staggering 4.4 more than the second-place Pelicans.
“When you have three All-Stars on the perimeter and the best playmaking big they use as their facilitator, it just puts you in such a tough situation,” Hoiberg said, citing Draymond Green’s ability along with the aforementioned Curry, Durant and Thompson.
“They can get all those skilled guys in their actions and then they play small and get another skilled guy on the floor. You have to give up something. And if they’re hitting the shot you give up, they’re impossible to beat.”
LaVine, who has guarded both Curry and Thompson in the past, agreed.
“You can’t go under any pick-androlls,” LaVine said. “When (Curry) gives the ball up and goes under the hoop, you know he’s coming back out. He moves really well without the ball. If he gets hot, it’s over. Same with Klay — catch-andshoot, it’s just automatic for him. It’s a layup. You can’t lose him in transition. He runs straight to the 3-point line.
“It’s not really about the defense. Just try to make them uncomfortable because they’re going to make shots. They’re superstars. They’re a championship team.”
That’s what the Bulls are chasing. And LaVine knows — heck, from the November debacle alone — that if the Bulls don’t bring effort, it’s, in his words, “going to get ugly.”
That said, LaVine, mindful of the Bulls’ 14-7 mark since Dec. 7, isn’t conceding anything.
“We’re very confident,” he said “We think we can play with anybody and beat anybody on any given day. That’s how the game goes. You put yourself in those type of positions to let the game play out and see what happens.”