Assessing the Bulls’ Performance
After a week in the desert, the young Chicago Bulls roster is drawing attention and stirring mixed emotions. The Bulls began the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with losses against the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz. They bounced back with a 99-87 victory over the Washington Wizards. Regardless of the outcomes, these games are providing valuable insights as the team embarks on its rebuilding phase. With two games left — Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers — here are the learnings from the Bulls’ first three outings.
Caleb Wilson’s Determination
Rookie forward Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 draft pick, has showcased his potential in the summer league games. He started with a remarkable 35-point performance against the Grizzlies and followed up with 19 points in the subsequent two matches. Despite his displays of talent, the road ahead for Wilson involves significant development.
Wilson’s passion for playing is evident. Frustrated by his performance against the Jazz, he sought permission from Bryson Graham, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, to play consecutive days. Wilson emphasized the necessity of experience in back-to-back games to gear up for the NBA season, but his desire to play was undeniable. He even commented on other top-four picks, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa, sitting out of their matches, saying, “I love this sport. I’ll play whenever I can.”
Free-Throw Challenges
Wilson’s free-throw performance posed challenges in Las Vegas. In the first two games, he managed only 2-for-12 from the line, improving slightly with one successful attempt against the Wizards. The introduction of a new experimental free-throw rule — one attempt per shooting foul with a point value equivalent to the field-goal attempt — added complexity.
Despite the free-throw woes, Wilson is consistently drawing fouls and generating opportunities at the line, which is more crucial than the scoring outcomes at this stage.
Dailyn Swain’s Role Adjustment
The evaluation of Bulls guard Dailyn Swain presents complexities. As the No. 15 pick, Swain has been tasked with the challenging role of primary ball handling, a position where he lacks comfort. With no alternate starter for the point position, Swain faces the sink-or-swim challenge.
Swain’s statistics from the first three games reflect his struggles: an average of 4.3 points, eight assists, and six turnovers. Swain finds it difficult to advance past half-court and execute pick-and-roll plays, which adds to his daunting introduction to the league.
Coach Tiago Splitter has shown patience, focusing on Swain’s ball-handling and facilitation growth rather than immediate scoring.
Noa Essengue’s Energy Concerns
Second-year forward Noa Essengue was benched by Splitter during the second half against the Jazz due to low energy levels. Last season saw Essengue play only six minutes before shoulder surgery shut him down.
The current season is similar to a rookie year for Essengue, who can make mistakes and face challenges typical of a newcomer. However, maintaining energy levels is crucial for his development.
Essengue shows promise in defensive aspects and off-ball rotational help but fades out in offensive scenarios. His role on the team under a high-energy coach hinges on displaying effort and audacity.
Jaylin Sellers’ Promising Start
Jaylin Sellers, an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, is making an impressive debut in the summer league. Tuesday’s win against the Wizards highlighted his performance, scoring 24 points and securing three steals.
While starting all three games, Sellers is averaging 17.3 points. Adapting to contribute off the bench — unlike his high-usage college starter role — is a key challenge.
Sellers fits well for the Windy City Bulls in the G League. To make a noticeable impact on the Bulls, he needs to demonstrate efficiency with limited ball time, considering the depth in young talent ahead.
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