There’s a quintet of NBA players who would cause problems for the Bulls starters in a face-to-face matchup. Sure, those guys in Milwaukee, Boston, Brooklyn and Miami.
But these five (or six) are in Chicago pretty much right across from the Bulls main players every day, and they could be the secret sauce that puts some spice and flavor into what many have predicted could be a sour season for the Bulls that begins Wednesday in Miami.
They’re the reserves, sans cool nickname yet, and for the first time under Bulls coach Billy Donovan there is the possibility of a five-man bench performing as a unit for a Bulls team they could help become an under-the-radar surprise in the NBA’s elite tracking.
“As we go into this last week of practice, I think it’s a real possibility (of going with a five-player reserve unit) because those five guys off the bench are good players,” Donovan said before the Bulls closed a 3-1 preseason with a win against the Bucks. “DeMar (DeRozan) had such an incredible impact on the second unit (last season). What that looks like with him not being out there, that would be something we’d have to see.
“We’d have to look at, is staggering (DeRozan with the reserves) the best thing?” wondered Donovan. “Those are going to be some of the decisions in the first game or the first couple of weeks to see how it goes. I can see us adjusting and changing, but there is a lot of merit for us adjusting and playing 10 guys and potentially having a true second unit.”
And I wouldn’t be that surprised if this second unit could defeat the first unit.
They wouldn’t be able to outplay them in an offense-oriented halfcourt, high screen-and-roll game with the scoring of DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, all multiple All-Stars during their careers for their offensive play.
But in a fast paced game predicated on defense, I’d give those aspirants a good chance.
So let’s go to the videotape! OK, a look at the matchups:
Point Guard: Ayo Dosunmu vs Alex Caruso
If Lonzo Ball were healthy in a fearful refrain at least for the next several months, Dosunmu would be bench brigade. It’s a tough ask for him considering he’s not a natural point guard and at least last season often deferred to the half court play of the Big Three. Dosunmu is a good defender, but not lockdown as he plays kind of straight up. He’s best offensively in transition with an improved shot, if not off the dribble. Caruso is a terror. He’s one of the most underrated defenders in the league, bothersome to top players and likely to be among the league steals leaders. He’d probably defend against DeRozan, and then no way fall for all those pump fakes and shimmy moves that get DeRozan so many free throws and space for shots. Caruso also led the team in assists per minute in the preseason.
Edge: Reserves.
Shooting Guard: Zach LaVine vs Goran Dragić
This would be one of the big advantages for the starters since LaVine, now presumably healthy again, is the best long distance shooter and most athletic among the starters. But Dragić is an exceptionally tough cover off the ball with his wily, veteran moves. He’ll make a three and is an adept playmaker.
Edge: Starters.
Small Forward: DeMar DeRozan vs Coby White/Dalen Terry
This also is somewhat of a mismatch, especially on offense, though DeRozan would not be putting up such magical All-Star numbers against Caruso’s defensives annoyances. White is probably the weakest defender in that group, but he’s the best long range shooting threat with a surprisingly good shooting unit. All the reserves other than White shot at least 50 percent from the field in preseason. White would probably defend against Dosunmu in that swap and with his size is at least good enough to restrain the second year substitute point guard.
Edge: Starters.
Power Forward: Javonte Green vs Patrick Williams
I’m assuming Green draws the starting assignment because of his preseason play, his fit with the starters as a defender who doesn’t need the ball and at least matchups to start the season. But Williams is the much bigger talent, and bigger all around. He’s taller and wider, shoots better and seems like a better fit with a group of players with fewer shot oriented figures. And an occasional athletic assist for the reserves from Derrick Jones Jr.
Edge: Reserves.
Center: Nikola Vučević vs Andre Drummond
Vučević for offense, Drummond for defense and rebounding. Closer than one might imagine since Drummond was particularly impressive in preseason, including making three pointers. Drummond also was not unexpectedly the team’s preseason leader in rebounds per minute. Donovan featured Vučević more in preseason in different parts of the offense and Vučević was impressive, though we’ll see how that goes once DeRozan and LaVine increase their playing time. Drummond has said he still believes he’s an NBA starter, and he played like one in the top acquisition of the offseason.
Edge: Starters.
Intangibles: Work in the defense and it’s a big edge for the reserves. Caruso and Drummond can make cases for all-defense, and then you add Terry with his long arms and strides and disruptive play and Williams with his bulk and athleticism. The reserves could speed up the game, which would work against the older starting unit, and apply relentless pressure while the starters are a weaker defensive group.
Edge: Reserves.
Pick: Reserves in 7.
I know, so why not start the reserves?
Donovan’s not about to go there, but I can see several of those players finishing games this season. There’s also a lot on Donovan, who previously has held to a nine-player rotation and probably overused DeRozan. He really had little choice with the spate of injuries last season. But with the depth on the team now, it would be an ideal opportunity to reduce DeRozan’s minutes. DeRozan at 32 years old last season was third in the NBA in minutes played and one of only two players older than 30 (along with Russell Westbrook seventh) to play more than 2,500 minutes. Vucevic was the only center older than 30 in the top 30 in the league in minutes played last season and one of four players along with DeRozan older than 30 in the top 30 in minutes played. There’s deep depth there now. Even another Antetokounmpo.
Reserves also play has a rich tradition in Bulls franchise history.
The benchmark to many, at least until recent history, was the Bench Mob from the 2010-12 Bulls with C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and Kurt Thomas/Omer Asik who many (me, included) believe would have defeated those LeBron/Wade Miami Heat. Those deep Bulls for two straight seasons led the league in wins. It was just Derrick Rose.
The breakthrough backups were the first ready reserves for the Bulls’ 21st century. They were in 2004-05 coming off the most painful rebuild in NBA history and that season more than doubled their 23-wins and went to the playoffs. That group included of Eric Piatowski/Jannero Pargo, Ben Gordon, Othella Harrington, Andre Nocioni and Tyson Chandler took the baton from the Baby Bulls and kept the race going.
The Bulls historic championship success in the 1990s in no small included the reserve units Phil Jackson used so effectively. And even drew the notorious nickname from Michael Jordan of My Supporting Cast.
Jordan coined that after Game 1 against Detroit in the 1991 Eastern Conference finals when the reserves opened the fourth quarter of a back-and-forth game and dominated so that the Bulls led by double digits in points by the time Jordan substituted back in. And the sweet sweep was on.
That group included B.J. Armstrong, Craig Hodges, Cliff Levingston, Stacey King and Scott Williams. Then in the second iteration from 1996 through 1998 it was with some evolutions Randy Brown, Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler, Dickey Simpkins (Bison Dele and Jason Caffey) and Bill Wennington.
The national consensus about this Bulls season mostly has the team struggling to repeat last season’s sixth place finish and 46 wins. It may be missing the team picture.
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