PridGeon Points: Diamonds in the Rough?
Bulls need to look beyond obvious contributors in do-or-die Game 5
After two losses at home, following an all-impressive team win in Game 2, the Chicago Bulls find themselves on the brink of elimination, back in Milwaukee for game five.
It seems like an eternity since Game 4, however, in that, there has been a lot that's transpired news-wise regarding who will be available for the Bulls.
There's Alex Caruso, who's now out after accidental contact that occured navigating a screen in Sundays second quarter, taking contact to the head from Jevon Carter.
Then there was the spontaneous news of Zach LaVine entering the leagues health and safety protocols, after testing positive for the virus on Tuesday, as the team was informed shortly before scheduled practice. He's also out for tonight's game.
Two brutal blows to winning aspirations, as a team already without it's starting point guard is now set to be without the services of it's starting shooting guard and third guard.
Nonetheless, the game goes on. Here's a few points I'll be watching for in this one.
1.) Pressure Points
With LaVine, who'd been showing a good feel for the style of defense being played on him and understanding how to effectively attack it as he gained information, now out, as well as Caruso, who'd been solid with his secondary drives to the basket, also out, it'll be important to see who steps up as a pressure point for the Bulls.
Dosunmu, Williams, White are the three names that come to mind first (outside of DeRozan, of course).
The Bulls now have a vacancy of 66.6 minutes in their rotation, what the aforementioned three guys do in that newfound on-court time will be under a microscope.
2.) Shot Making
In alignment with who can step up as a pressure point comes the question of who makes shots outside of DeRozan and Vucevic.
Coby White is now the Bulls best option in terms of self-creation out on the perimeter, and they'll need plenty of it when one of DeRozan-Vucevic rests.
Patrick Williams, who's had his ups and downs this series, will be depended upon to not only guard Giannis more with Caruso out, but create against him as well in the halfcourt. This moment can prove to add to the experiences he's compiled throughout this series. I'd like to see him aggressive on the catch, getting into his two dribble pull-ups, and generating consistent paint touches either for himself or to force defensive rotations, then displaying his playmaking out of it.
Dosunmu has a propensity to find soft spots in the half court to get attempts he's comfortable with in varying scenarios. I'm curious to see how frequently he looks for his own, and if he can make a two-way impact against a player who he resembles, in Jrue Holiday.
3.) Intangibles
The most dangerous teams are the ones that have nothing to lose. That also would bode well for the team as they continue to shape-shift in this transition to consistent playoff contention.
Moments like these have unfortunately littered the team in occurrences all season.
For the season to be on the line, and receive jabs from entities out of their control again is tough, but “woe is me” can't be the collective mindset on display.
A lot could be taken from this team showing fight and grit in this game. No, there's no such thing as moral victories especially in the Playoffs, but in terms of team-building, this is a moment where younger guys are pushed to the forefront and have to grow.
From that perspective, it's a nice opportunity to see what they have with a bump up from their usual roles, on the road, against the battle-tested defending champions.
Watch this game through the correct lense and, with the correct mindset, and you may see the young Bulls prove to be diamonds in all the rough that's presided.
These are building blocks that can help a team, still under construction, build with more confidence in it's foundation and supporting pieces.