Discover the impact of Bulls bench paint scoring as they average 49.0 PPG, showcasing offensive commitment and teamwork.
After their victory against the New York Knicks on Friday, the Bulls’ bench is averaging 49.0 points per game (PPG), ranking second-best in the league. A significant contributor to this bench production stems from the players’ ability to score in the paint, where they average 23.4 points per game, also good for second in the league, per NBA.com.
The Bulls display a strong commitment to offense, generating scoring opportunities through constant ball and player movement. However, it’s crucial to recognize how effectively the bench players have attacked the paint in various ways.
Ayo Dosunmu’s Relentless Drives and Transition Opportunities
Bulls’ guard Ayo Dosunmu has emerged as one of the top bench players in the league early in the season, averaging 16.2 PPG on 57.7% shooting from the field and 47.6% from three-point range. Dosunmu focuses primarily on shots in the paint and three-pointers.
Here’s Dosunmu’s shot chart for the season from NBA.com:
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Dosunmu relentlessly attacks the basket, both in transition and during half-court plays. According to NBA.com, he averages 7.8 drives per game, ranking third highest on the team. Consequently, Dosunmu shoots 68% (17/25) in the restricted area, averaging 8.0 points in the paint per game, tied for third-most on the team.
Here’s an example of Dosunmu driving past his defender in the half-court and finishing at the rim:
Dosunmu also performs well in transition, averaging 3.6 possessions per game and shooting 62.5% on those plays. Here’s Dosunmu grabbing a rebound and sprinting coast-to-coast for another shot in the restricted area:
Kevin Huerter demonstrates effective cutting and methodical drives.
Bulls’ swingman Kevin Huerter has not started the season with his best shooting, hitting 33.3% from three-point range on 21 attempts. However, his career average stands at 37.5%, so that number should improve as the season progresses.
What Huerter is excelling at is finding opportunities to cut to the basket for layups. For example, during the Knicks game, he cut after passing the ball to Patrick Williams and received it back for a layup:
He’s also succeeding with his drives early this season, averaging 4.6 per game and shooting 62.5% on those attempts. Here are a couple of plays showcasing Huerter driving for floating bank shots:
Patrick Williams Screening For Interior Position
Bulls forward Patrick Williams has played significantly better after an overall rough last season. While he primarily scores from three-point range this season, he finds ways to get looks inside. The Bulls utilize Williams as a screener, allowing him to gain interior position when a smaller defender switches onto him.
In one play, Williams sets a screen, causes the switch, and seals his man down low for a layup:
In another instance, Williams sets a screen, gets Desmond Bane switched onto him, and immediately tries to seal him in the paint, resulting in a foul from Bane before his shot attempt:
On this play, Williams sets a screen, and when Paolo Banchero doesn’t switch, he rolls for a dunk:
Jalen Smith’s Marginalized But Good Driving
Although center Jalen Smith has not started the season strong, shooting 42.4% from the field through the first five games, he becomes effective when he decides to drive. Despite averaging only 1.4 drives per game, Smith shoots 75% on those attempts.
Here are several plays where Smith catches the ball on the perimeter and makes quick decisions to drive for layups:
The Bulls’ bench, with players possessing diverse skill sets in attacking the paint, has helped them rank among the best benches in the league to start the season. As the season progresses, commitment to teamwork and finding new ways to get paint touches will be crucial to keep the Bulls’ bench at the top of the league in production.
