Fansided

NBA: Preseason Fact And Fiction

By Gerald Bourguet

October 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) is congratulated by guard Andre Iguodala (9) and guard Stephen Curry (30) for recording a block against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) is congratulated by guard Andre Iguodala (9) and guard Stephen Curry (30) for recording a block against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) takes a shot against Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson (31) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bulls beat the Bucks 91-85 in a pre-season game. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bulls still can’t score

The Bulls were the epitome of a defense-first team last season. They were the stingiest defense in the NBA, giving up only 91.8 points per game…but they were also the league’s lowest scoring offense, putting up a mere 93.7 points per game. For Chicago to take the next step back to being title contenders, they’ll have to be able to score with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the high-powered offensive onslaught of their Big Three.

The return of Derrick Rose, not to mention the additions of Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott should make the Bulls a higher scoring offense. But so far in the preseason, Chicago is still only averaging 96.4 points per game while shooting a meager 42.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three-point range. Is there a chance the Bulls are still more offensively incompetent than a post-2007 Adam Sandler movie?

Verdict: Fiction

All preseason evidence points to the contrary, but I’m going to say this is one trend that won’t carry over to the regular season. Maybe I’m just desperately hoping Rose will stay healthy this year, but even if he doesn’t, the supporting cast is as good as it’s ever been. Most of the starters and key role players haven’t played significant minutes together yet either, so the preseason numbers aren’t quite indicative of what to expect. For the time being, patience is a virtue in Chicago.

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