PridGeon Points: Takeaways from Sunday's Game 1 loss in Milwaukee
A new recap format as we officially enter a new era of Bulls playoff basketball
Hello, Chicago Bulls fans! Welcome to our new series titled “PridGeon Points.”
This will be the new format for my post-game takeaways, highlighting and detailing points in each game that I see as noteworthy. That being said, let's dive into game one from Saturday.
1.) Back in the Spotlight
It's been quite some time since we've seen the Chicago Bulls grace the playoffs stage. In a completely new rendition and with some rather new faces to the stage itself, both jitters and signs of newness came to the fold in numerous occassions.
From a misunderstanding of exactly how the games are officiated on this stage in terms of contact, to rushed shots (or a lack of shooting), bad turnovers, and an all-telling slow start, the “getting the nerves out” portion for this new iteration was abundantly obvious.
Good thing in a series is that one game is just that, the true test is underway now in how they respond. As the result will give a good glimpse as the the pace and direction to ensue.
2.) Empty Corner/Empty Side Actions
The Bulls offense hit multiple snags over the course of this one, including shooting 11/26 (42.3%) from point-blank range, at the cup. From missed clean looks all over the floor to missed layups, there were plenty looks that they wish they could have back. Ones that could very well have put them over the top in this one.
Nonetheless, a hidden gem and action(s) they should continue to implement, as hinted at in my preview piece, are both empty corner and empty side pick and roll/pick and pop with Vucevic.
These actions allow for play in space from whoever the ballhandler is. It also, in turn, forces Milwaukee's screen defender to “show” as the ballhandlers defender navigates around the screen.
They went to it a solid amount, both planned ans off-script, but look for actions in this scenario to prove effective for them as the series continues onward.
In this scenario, if a good set up from the ballhandler is coupled by a good screen from Vucevic, Vucevic's defender is in a catch-22 because either the pocket pass on the short-roll, or the pop, is open with help to Vucevic negated as the action happens away from the help.
It's a win-win for the Bulls because a good look is guaranteed.
Their 7th ranked halfcourt offense (98.8 points/play) has been the most (and oftentimes overly) depended on entity of their attack as a whole, so the abysmal 72.5 points/play they had to show for yesterday should prove as an anomaly, even with as good as the Bucks halfcourt defense is.
3.) Giannis is - really - freaking good.
There's only but so much you can do in hopes of stifling his ever-present assault on the rim and rim pressure. His game’s also grown all-encompassing on top of that - yesterday's game providing another example of that - making him arguably the toughest and most versatile weapon offensively in the league.
Add to that a motor that's second-to-none, and you've painted the picture of how much of a “freak” he truly is. There's no weapon like him in the NBA. That being said, the Bulls did a solid job in limiting the frequency of his and the Bucks) attempts at the rim, showing discipline in closing space for his driving lanes, being physical with him before his touches, and getting decent contests too. The Bucks had just 17 (26%) of their attempts from last night come at the rim.
In turn, the Bulls also got the Bucks to score at a rate of 69.9 points per 100 plays, which is extremely low. League average this season is 95.6. That neutralizes the field of play allowing the Bulls that much sought-after punchers chance they're looking for in the end.
Nightly Notables:
Vucevic and White an appropriate volume of shots up from the specific area of the floor I mentioned they should target for clean and efficient looks, being above the break.
Those two combined for 16 total attempts from there. Now, they only made a combined four (two a piece), but it was encouraging to see them take those attempts with no hesitation, indicating it was surely spoken on as a point of emphasis.
Even more, for White, we saw - even in it's seldomly used frequency - maybe the highest frequency of usage in Coby’s off-ball movement and screening to involve him via downscreens and off-ball staggereds. Would love to see this creativity included with consistency.
Also of note, Vucevic had the highest usage of Bulls players tonight. That is a great thing because of his propensity as the offenses connector (which I've mentioned at nauseum). This is the best way to make their offensive approach less predictable and to force rotations. As his touches are set tocome in advantageous scenarios.
What's Next: Game two is in Milwaukee, set for Wednesday at 8:30 pm on TNT.
Bulls gonna steal a game; just a matter of which one..